Buy National War Bonds
Artist
William J Franks
Date1917
Object number00018167
NamePoster
MediumInk on paper
DimensionsOverall: 560 mm, 0.1 kg
ClassificationsPosters and postcards
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionThis British World War I propaganda poster boldly appeals to the general populace through the image of Admiral Lord Nelson - Britain's greatest naval hero - to support the war effort by investing in war bonds and savings certificates.HistoryMass-produced posters have been used to advertise commercial products and propagandise political and social causes since the invention of the lithographic process at the end of the 18th century. It was during World War I that recruiting and fund raising posters became a popular means to encourage men to join up and for everyone to support the war effort financially, big or small.
The main modes of appeal were through posters and pamphlets incorporating striking graphic images, especially those of Lord Kitchener and Admiral Lord Nelson. Over time the poster campaign became more sophisticated, manipulative and direct.
SignificancePropganda posters were intended to be ephemeral not archival or historical documents. The messages they projected have become an important resource for today's historians to investigate British (and Australian) beliefs in the necessity to wage and support war.
