Der Magische Gurtel [The enchanted circle]

A German First World War propaganda poster that advertises a German official film depicting the submarine U35, which was shot in April 1917. The title of the poster is taken from a speech by Winston Churchill, the then British Minister for Munitions, who talked of liberating 'our splendid Navy from the enchanted circle the submarine has drawn around it.' The film shows footage shot from the deck of U35, with images of the destruction and sinking of armed and unarmed merchant ships. Shown in neutral countries to demonstrate the success of Germany's U-boats, the film received a mixed reception, eliciting sympathy for the victims rather than, as intended, support for the victors. The poster highlights this 'magic circle' of U-boats operating an unrestricted campaign against the British. The silhouette of a U-boat emerging from the sea appears in the foreground of the poster. Further U-boats are depicted encircling a stylised depiction of the British Isles, which is shown in the colours of the Union flag. The image occupies the entire posters, with the title, printed in black ink, positioned at the top. The text translates as follow: 'The enchanted circle. England. German U boats against England.' Hans Rudi Erdt (1883-1918) was a German graphic designer, lithographer and commercial artist known for his contributions to the Sachplakat movement created by Lucian Bernhard. His work at the prestigious Hollerbaum und Schmidt art printing company, making him one of the most important representatives of German poster art between 1906 and 1918. Erdt has also been recognized for his innovative use of typography in posters. He trained as a lithographer at the Munich School of Applied Arts. During World War I he created propaganda posters for the German State Film Committee, as well as promotional posters for propaganda films, some of which, like 'U Boote Heraus!' became quite famous at the time. Erdt died in Berlin of tuberculosis at the age of 35.