While doing some research at work (aka: browsing Art.com) I came across some retro British posters. My curiosity was peaked and so I googled the phrase “Keep Calm and Carry On”
These 3 posters were made in the Spring/Summer of 1939 by order of the Ministry of Information. Their purpose was to strengthen British resolve during the Blitz and in case of Nazi Occupation. They were intended to be hung in Tube Stations, on bus stops, on buildings and so forth so that the public eye was littered with the message from the King. They are uniform in design with the royal crown at the head and simple san-serif capital block lettering.
The first to be hung was the light blue on the far right. “Your Courage, Your Cheerfulness, Your Resolution Will Bring Us Victory” This phrase was meant to be a battle cry and ended up being put to music; it is rumored people would sing this anthem while huddled together in bomb shelters.
The second to be released was the green poster in the center. “Freedom Is In Peril, Defend It With All Your Might” I find this phrase to be rather poignant in today’s circumstances where literally our personal freedom is in danger.
The third banner created is in red on the far left “Keep Calm and Carry On” This banner is what first sparked my curiosity. This banner was never released to the public. It was meant to be used only as a last resort if
Needless to say, I want one! There is just something SO British about this poster. The royal red of post boxes, telephone booths, and double-decker buses and the no nonsense phrasing is sentimentally British. (Stiff Upper Lip and all that Old Chap.)
*There have been facsimile designs sold where the crown is turned upside down and the text reads “Now Panic and Freak Out”
Allison Dawson
Gallery Manager/ Art Consultant
Repartee Gallery at
Midvale, UT 84047
(801) 352-2569
3 comments:
This is fascinating! Thanks for sharing. I especially like that the "cheerfulness" phrase was put to music - and that the song was sung in bomb shelters. Wow! I don't know if I would be cheerful in a bomb shelter. I'd have to sing that song over and over, to try and convince myself to cheer up.
And I think it's pretty interesting that "Now Panic and Freak Out" posters are made too.
Don't you love when you come across an interesting research topic, especially when you are in the middle of doing something else? A good portion of my art history posts were written right after I stumbled across something that was completely unrelated to my task-at-hand.
Totally- sometimes I wish my curiosity would just let me stay on task but most of the time I cannot focus until I've done a little research on the topic.
BTW: I guess you can totally tell when I'm blogging from my work email! Oops :)
Here is a video about that little bookshop in Northumbria and a little bit more about the posters!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrHkKXFRbCI
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