The Art of Abram Games

Some of the striking posters of Abram Games, British Official War Poster Designer in World War Two (he also did many of these posters). After the war he worked freelance, creating striking images throughout the century, including some great ones for London Transport (see this post). He was also known by the name "Olympic" Games, which is just plain awesome. 

From the Imperial War Museum (except one from the London Transport Museum). 

Source

Source

Source

War Posters on the Street

We've seen all kinds of wartime posters, from  "enlist now" to "buy war bonds" to "save food". However, seeing the nicely scanned image on the page is something different to seeing it in context. Today, a collection of World War Two posters where they were meant to be seen.

War Savings posters on the base of Nelson's Column, Trafalgar Square, London,. 1941. Source

A row of posters on an unknown street in Britain, 1942. Source

Children and posters advertising the War Savings Scheme, Canterbury, 1941. Source

Let Your Shopping Help Our Shipping

British World War Two food posters [with apologies for the lazy description... I'm busy lately and trying to save time for the pictures! :) ]

From the Imperial War Museum.

Source

Source

Source

Source

Source

Source

Source

Source

Source

Source

Source

Source

Source

Women With a Will to Win

World War Two posters recruiting women for all kinds of war work. "We can't win without them!"

Exactly. Source

The Women's Auxiliary Air Force. Source

Source

The Women's Royal Naval Service. Source

Source

Air Raid Precautions work. Source

Source

The Auxiliary Territorial Service. Source

The Navy, Army, and Air Force Institute. Source

Royal Observer Corps. Source

Source

The Australian version of the WAAF. Source

Source

Source

Source

Source

Source

Source

Source

Source

Source

Source

Source

Source

Reasons to Enlist

World War One, of course, had casualty rates that exceeded those of any past war by a huge factor, so all the countries involved had a constant need for new recruits. To get them, propagandists/poster artists used every tactic possible, no matter how irrelevant or even false. Here are just a few. 

Guilt. Source

Nobility and friendship. Source

It's exciting. Source

You're fighting for liberty (er...yeah...). Source

Veterans would go if they could, so it must be worthwhile. Source

Sexy girls. Source

More sexual innuendo... Source

If you're not with us, you're not one of us. Source

Be a man. Source

Actually bringing up the obscure treaty that started it. Source

Patriotism (even when irrelevant, no one was threatening Scotland). Source

Your sports heroes are doing it. Source

It beats getting killed in an air raid. Source

Patriotism, again, with a twist (Irish independence was a big deal at the time) Source

You'll be happy! [I'm not sure how the originators of this one slept at night, honestly]. Source

Guilt from women. Source

Historical/cultural appeal. Source

It is Serious. Source

Appeal to Empire (also, fans of the Lion King). Source

Selective quoting of national heroes. Source

Sign up to avoid being drafted. Source

You'll like it! (also, why not?). Source

 Source

No wonder everyone ended up so cynical and disillusioned.