Warning (Poem by Jenny Joseph with Portrait Illustration)
Framed commercial print, broadside poster format on paper • Text by Jenny Joseph; Illustrator unknown (likely a commercial graphic artist)
Style & Movement
Contemporary illustrative graphic art; Popular literary ephemera
Medium & Technique
Mechanical offset lithography or digital print on heavy paper stock
Creation Period
Late 20th to early 21st century (composed poem 1961, print likely 1990s-2010s)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 18 x 24 inches; Vertical portrait format
Subject Description
Features the full text of Jenny Joseph's poem 'Warning' accompanied by an illustration of an elderly woman in profile wearing a dark hat and coat, reflecting the poem's theme of aging with defiant eccentricity.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; Appears structurally intact behind glass with minor frame wear
Estimated Market Value
$20.00 - $40.00 USD
Auction Estimate
$10.00 - $30.00 USD
Provenance History
Likely acquired through a mass-market retail outlet, gift shop, or bookshop; private collection
Art Historical Significance
Significant as a piece of popular culture; the poem was voted the UK's favorite post-war poem in a 1996 BBC poll and inspired the 'Red Hat Society'.
Notable Features
Features the iconic opening line: 'When I am an old woman I shall wear purple'; framed in a simple blue-toned wooden or composite frame.
Condition Issues
Possible light fading from UV exposure; frame shows minor abrasions; potential for acidity in backing board
Conservation Recommendations
Use UV-filtering glass; replace backing with acid-free foam board; keep away from direct sunlight and high humidity