White LR monogram logo in a circle on a black background. Elegant, modern design.
info@lukeritchie.co.za      +27844109360
The Greatest Show on Earth lettering art. Vintage circus poster design with ornate, colorful typography and decorative flourishes.

The challenge:

I was tasked with creating an iconic design for the cover of the Goodwood Revival car show Magazine 2023.

"Wheel-to-wheel racing is at the heart of the Revival. Hundreds of rare and priceless cars, driven by champions past and present, compete for the most coveted trophies in historic motorsport. Period dress is de rigeur. 

Ladies in their furs and frocks, gentlemen in their tweeds and trilbies all help to create the uniquely stylish atmosphere that sets the Revival apart from all other motor racing events" - Goodwood Revival

The solution:

The theme for this year’s Goodwood Revival was the circus. It was billed as “The Greatest Show on Earth” and it was no surprise to find that it lived up to the claim. - Collectorscarworld

The type design was developed to feel like authentic circus-style signboard lettering. Each glyph was carefully crafted, and the composition was meticulously tweaked to feel just right.

The result is a careful balance between type and ornamentation. 

The Greatest Show On Earth

Agency: Northstar

Lettering

Photos from event are sourced from here
Three women in matching red and white striped dresses, vintage sunglasses, and hats at a retro event.
Female race car driver in vintage Bentley Belles car wearing green helmet and racing suit. #Fever visor strip.
Two smiling clowns with white curly wigs, colorful makeup, and polka dot suits. One holds an accordion.
Vintage sports cars revving up at a race track. Crowd of spectators in the background. Car racing event.
British Guards band in red uniforms playing brass instruments under a red and white circus tent.
Vintage white Ford Thunderbird race car with red accents speeding around a track.
Vintage car race grid girl in yellow dress holding 'Row 3' sign. Retro motorsports event.

Design inspiration
Decorative gold swirl pattern on red background with blue and black accents. Vintage design element.
Woman holding a vintage circus-style SHOW sign with red and white stripes, stars, and ornate details.
Vintage Super Deluxe Arcade sign. Retro amusement park games and entertainment. Colorful arcade lettering.
Colorful vintage sign with COX lettering, featuring blue, gold, and red details on a dark blue background.

Full-colour version

The Greatest Show on Earth vintage circus poster art. Colorful, ornate lettering.

Early sketches

The Greatest Show on Earth lettering design. Vintage circus typography, hand-drawn sketch and vector illustration.

Printed cover program

The Greatest Show On Earth book cover with vintage circus-style lettering on a green background.
Goodwood Revival Meeting 2023 programme cover. Vintage racing car and Senior Service cigarette ad.
Vintage racing program featuring Richmond & Gordon Trophies, 1950s Grand Prix cars. Goodwood Revival, classic motorsport.
Vintage Goodwood Revival Meeting program and The Great Show on Earth book cover.
Wood panel background with 1998-2023 Revival Meeting sticker. Vintage wood texture.
Goodwood Revival book. Colorful lettering on green cover. Greatest Show on Earth title. Collectible book.

© Luke Ritchie 2009-2025 

info@lukeritchie.co.za    +27844109360

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