Founded in 1880 by Thomas Elliott in Bournemouth, Royal Blue began as a small horse-drawn carriage business catering to affluent Victorian holidaymakers. The company embraced modern technology in 1913 by purchasing its first motorized vehicle, pivoting toward the future of public transit. Following service as military transport during World War I, the business expanded aggressively through the 1920s under the name Royal Blue Automobile Services, rapidly building a reputation for luxury, reliability, and speed across the south of England.
The brand secured its place in British transport history in 1928 by pioneering groundbreaking daily express coach routes connecting the coast to London. This reliable network made travel accessible to the public and prompted an acquisition by the Western and Southern National omnibus companies in 1935. Following nationalisation in 1948, the iconic royal blue vehicles continued to dominate southern English roads for decades until the historic brand was officially integrated into the newly formed National Express network in 1973.
Here we’ve taken an image of a worn enamel sign, digitally corrected it and reproduced it as a decorative reverse glass mirrored sign
Founded in 1880 by Thomas Elliott in Bournemouth, Royal Blue began as a small horse-drawn carriage business catering to affluent Victorian holidaymakers. The company embraced modern technology in 1913 by purchasing its first motorized vehicle, pivoting toward the future of public transit. Following service as military transport during World War I, the business expanded aggressively through the 1920s under the name Royal Blue Automobile Services, rapidly building a reputation for luxury, reliability, and speed across the south of England.
The brand secured its place in British transport history in 1928 by pioneering groundbreaking daily express coach routes connecting the coast to London. This reliable network made travel accessible to the public and prompted an acquisition by the Western and Southern National omnibus companies in 1935. Following nationalisation in 1948, the iconic royal blue vehicles continued to dominate southern English roads for decades until the historic brand was officially integrated into the newly formed National Express network in 1973.
Here we’ve taken an image of a worn enamel sign, digitally corrected it and reproduced it as a decorative reverse glass mirrored sign
