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20 x 30 halfsheet stone litho British food economy poster from 1917 during World War I, created by artist Maurice Randall.Historical ContextThe poster was issued by the British Ministry of Food to encourage civilians to conserve scarce resources. At the time, Britain faced a severe food crisis because German U-boats were sinking merchant ships carrying essential supplies. By late 1917, the UK reportedly had only about six weeks of food left, leading to the introduction of nationwide rationing.Visual ElementsThe Sailor: A young Royal Navy sailor in uniform and cap, intended to remind civilians of the personal risk servicemen took to transport food.The Ships: Three warships are visible in the background, symbolizing the naval protection and the ongoing conflict at sea.The Slogans: "DO YOUR BIT" was a common wartime phrase encouraging individual contribution, while "SAVE FOOD" directly addressed the urgent need for conservation. |
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