Freedom is in peril defend it with all your might, original poster printed for the Ministry of Information 1939 - 50.5 x 38 cm With Britain formally declaring war on Germany on September 3, 1939, the newly re-formed Ministry of Information immediately began working on a giant poster publicity campaign to prepare the British populace for what the ministry feared would be an "appalling series of shocks, resulting in shattered nerves, a lack of confidence in ultimate success, and therefore a lack of will to work for victory" (Three Posters). The posters were intended as "general reassurance material" (ibid.). Three slogans were chosen and put into production on broadsides with white text against boldly coloured red backgrounds. Instead of a photograph or an illustration, each poster bore a depiction of the crown of King George VI at the top as an indication that the messages came from the King himself. The first two of these posters, "Freedom is in Peril / Defend it With All Your Might," and "Your Courage Your Cheerfulness Your Resolution Will Bring Us Victory," were distributed and posted around Britain in late September and October, 1939, the third poster was "Keep Calm and Carry On"

Grade A folds