In five best-selling books, Nigel Rees put together the world’s most extensive collection of graffiti – or, to be more precise, graffiti that said something and more often than not said it humorously. The books became a publishing phenomenon in the early 1980s and sold millions of copies. They were acclaimed all over the English-speaking world and also in translation. Now, thirty years later, Nigel has combined all five books as one collection, The Golden Age of Graffiti. This contains many hundreds of graffiti, has been re-illustrated with pictures from his archive, and contains updated information on some of the most memorable examples. As before there are special sections examining graffiti in Russia, Australia, New Zealand and old Pompeii, as well as articles on those well-known graffiti characters Kilroy, Chad and J.B. King. Nigel also reflects on what has happened to graffiti since the original publication took place in the ‘Golden Age of Graffiti’ when walls all over the world were alive with sharp, scatty and sexy comments on the human condition.
‘A flashing delight of wit, simple bawdiness, social comment and piercing common sense’ – Dick Francis in the Sunday Express
‘A special art form’ – Liverpool Post
‘A devastating harvest of mural comment’ – Evening News (London)
‘These gems must be preserved for posterity!’ – Woman’s World