4th Jul, 2024 10:00
The Militaria Auction
Keep Calm and Carry On (1939) Second World War propaganda poster
Keep Calm and Carry On (1939) Second World War propaganda poster, lithographic poster in colours, published by the Ministry of Information, printed by His Majesty's Stationary Office, size 25.3cms x 37.8cms.
Notes: This poster has now become one of the most famous propaganda icons of World War II, and the irony is that the poster was never displayed in public. In September 1939, 'Keep Calm' and two other letterpress posters had been put into production, 'Freedom is in Peril...' and 'Your Courage...' were displayed in public places, but the third - now recognised the world over with the unforgettable slogan - was not. It is now widely accepted that it was held back in anticipation of an invasion of Britain by the enemy or a severe air raid. The 'Phoney War', the period of September 1939 to May 1940, proved to be largely uneventful for the home front, and a change in attitude to the wording probably contributed to the poster never being used.
Provenance: The vendor's late husband was a young constable at a station in Suffolk after the war. He was asked to clear these out of a cupboard and he requested to keep them instead. They have lain flat, untouched since and are now being offered for auction. To our knowledge it is the first time this poster has been offered in three sizes in one auction.
Condition: Very small mark above the A of CALM. Otherwise perfect.
Sold for £1,700
IN PERSON: If you want to experience the atmosphere of the Auction Room the best way to do this is always to turn up in person. You simply register your personal details at Reception (so leave at least 10 minutes for this before your lot in case there is a queue) and you are issued with a paddle number which you hold up to the auctioneer when you wish to bid. If you haven't done so already you can view your lot(s) this way on the same day. There is time before each auction starts to do this however if you ask the staff on duty they can bring lots to you for inspection if the auction has began.
COMMISSION/ABSENTEE BID: If you are unable to attend the sale in person or would like the Auctioneer to bid on your behalf you can leave a bid on our website when registed (up to 30 minuets before the auction begins) and you'll receive and e-mail confirming them. Alternatively send them to bids@andersonandgarland.com or telephone our team on 0191 430 3000 and we'll be happy to add them for you. We will try to secure the item for you as reasonably as is allowed by other bids and the reserve price, if any. Commissions placed by telephone, fax or e-mail are made only at the buyer's own risk.
INTERNET BIDDING: You an also bid live via our website. When choosing to bid live via www.andersonandgarland.com you will need to register, using a bank card, to verify your address details. We would ask for you to register before the sale to make sure that you are verified for when you come to bid in the auction. To bid live on the sale day you will access the sale by going to www.andersonandgarland.com and clicking on the sale this will have a grey banner across the sale photograph which says 'bid live'. Please click on this and it will take you to the sale. Please note the bid live banner only appears once the sale commences on the sale day and is not there beforehand.
You can also bid live on www.the-saleroom.com however this is hosting site charges an additional 6% (plus VAT).
TELEPHONE: Telephone bids are only available for lots estimated at over £250. Lots which are bought for less than £250 via telephone bidding will incur a £10 (plus VAT) per lot charge. We only accept telephone bidding registrations up to the day prior to the lot in question going under the hammer. At the point of registration all new bidders will be required to submit proof of identification and address. This can be either a current driver's licence or ID card showing the registered address, or a passport together with a recent utility bill bearing the registered address which can be emailed to a.orgill@andersonandgarland.com. Only when this identification is received can the registration process be completed and your telephone line will then be secured for you. As the number of telephone lines are limited, early booking is recommended. (We also recommend that you leave an “emergency cover bid" in case we are unable to reach you by telephone). Please note - there are inherent dangers with telephone bidding; despite our best efforts, Anderson & Garland Ltd. may be unable to contact the intending bidder at the appropriate time. All such arrangements are therefore made entirely at the intending bidder’s risk.
Auction: The Militaria Auction, 4th Jul, 2024
Click the 'View' button on the right to view highlights from this sale.
Viewing
Wed 03/07/24 10am-3pm
