Which? Man you are wanted! in the Sportsmen's 1000

Place Oceania: Australia, Victoria
Accession Number ARTV05005
Collection type Art
Measurement sheet: 103.2 x 71.4 cm
Object type Poster
Physical description colour photolithograph on paper
Maker Unknown
Sportsmen's Recruiting Committee
Troedel & Cooper Pty. Ltd. [Melbourne]
Date made 1917
Conflict First World War, 1914-1918
Copyright

Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain

Public Domain Mark This item is in the Public Domain

Description

Australian First World War recruitment poster issued by the Sportsmen's Recruiting Committee. In the lower half of the poster is a three quarter length portrait of an AIF soldier in full military uniform. In his right hand he is holding a rifle with bayonet attached. His left hand is pointing directly at the viewer. Silhouetted behind him against a blood red background is a column of troops and artillery team in action. In the upper half in the upper left corner is a depiction of a Victoria Cross Medal within a white circle. In the right corner a depiction of a Victoria Cross made up of assorted sporting equipment also within a white circle. The juxtaposition of the Victoria Cross with a collection of sporting equipment in this poster refers directly to the question that was gaining momentum at the time: which was more important to eligible young men - sport or war? Sporting men were being encouraged to end their "games" and get serious about entering the "greater game", war. The title text printed in black and white is integrated in the upper half. Both image and text are set within a brown background.