| Places | |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | ARTV02081 |
| Collection type | Art |
| Measurement | Sheet: 76 x 51 cm |
| Object type | Poster |
| Physical description | offset lithograph on paper |
| Maker |
Unknown National Savings Committee, London and Scottish Savings Committee, Edinburgh Ulster Savings Committee, Belfast H.M. Stationery Office |
| Place made | United Kingdom: England, Greater London, London |
| Date made | 1939-1945 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Join the Crusade: Buy National Savings Certificates
Description
The crusades were a series of medieval military expeditions in the middle ages to recover the Holy Land from Islamic rule. They were, in essence, a fight for what was believed to be the forces of good against evil, as well as an inherent entitlement to return the lands to their 'rightful' occupiers. It was this sentiment that this poster plays upon: it implores its audience to join the 'holy' fight against evil and lead Britain and her Allies to victory.
The poster depicts a Union Jack being flown on a stick, held by an otherwise unknown hand. At the top of the stick, in place of a finial is a flaming cross. This is likely a reference to a Scottish Crann Tara, which was traditionally used as a declaration of war and taken around villages to gather soldiers.
Taken as a whole, the poster implies that it is the divine right of Britons to fight the war, and that they can do their part by buying national savings certificates.
This item has been digitised with funding provided by Commonwealth Government.