I was drawn to this sandwich board sign outside of a store in Bath, England because of the juxtaposition of some quintessentially British iconic images against an unmistakable German one.
The ‘centerpiece’ of the board, the thing that really captured me was the slogan, “Keep Calm and Carry On.” It was created in 1939 during World War II and was part of a three-poster set intended to boost the morale of the British people in the event of a wartime disaster. The other two reminded that “Freedom Is In Peril. Defend It With All Your Might” and “Your Courage, Your Cheerfulness, Your Resolution Will Bring Us Victory.” The latter was the first to go up and became the most popular.
The Keep Calm poster was discovered in 2000 in a second-hand bookstore. It has since been reissued and used on a variety of products.
The VW Beetle was created in Germany in 1938. Following the war, the VW factory was handed over by the Americans to the British in 1945 to be dismantled and shipped to Britain. However, British car manufacturers weren’t interested, citing the car’s unattractiveness and the fact that, in their opinions, didn’t “meet the fundamental technical requirements of a motor car.” The factory survived, however, after the British Army was persuaded to order cars 20,000 cars. The VW was introduced in the UK in 1953.
The other images I recognize: the Royal Horse Guard and the old photo of Bath. I feel like I should know the other image – I just can’t recall what it is or where I’ve seen it before. Do you recognize it? Can you shed some light? Would love to hear from you.
Bath is located in Somerset county, southwest England, about 100 miles from London. It is the home of the Roman Baths, the Bath Abbey, the Circus houses designed by architect John Wood.
This is my submission to this week’s Budget Travelers Sandbox Travel Photo Thursday series. Be sure to check out other photo and story entries on their website!
Yes it was and it does.
I think the “Keep calm and carry on” poster is a saying used in the military during the war on England. I don’t know but for some reason I have a feeling that it has a purpose regarding the war.
That “Calm” ad does get your attention right away and I imagine it was just as magnetic to the eye during the war. You’d be amazed at the history of advertising or maybe you have some idea already but the evolution of it is something to see.
Love the Keep Calm and Carry On slogan. I didn’t know that bit of history regarding the VW factory. Interesting information and photo!
What a cool find! I love shots like these 🙂
Love your history lesson with the sandwich board. The British stiff upper lip comes through – stay calm & cheerful – love it. Wonder if any of them suffered from post traumatic stress syndrome.
It really caught my eye. I can just imagine what it must have been like back then. They probably picked red it’d stand out against the grey skies, a bold, happy color. Even the font used is striking.
Thanks, Cathy! I love it too. I didn’t either until I started doing a little research.
Thanks, Michael! Glad you like it.
Oh, I’m sure that stiff upper lip would also handle the PTSD!
There was no such thing then, probably not even now. Some of us inherited that stiff upper lip.
Interesting story cut from a poster!
Well done!
Presented a good read.
Thanks for sharing.
Cheers,
John D. Wilson
Cool, did not know we can learn a lot from the sandwich board!! Next time traveling I should pay more attentions to signs on the road and see what I can find ^^
Love this!
Thanks for posting to Travel Photo Thursday.
I love the Keep Calm poster and the others remind me of the early days fore life got complicated.Love the post Marcia…. By the way, I am now getting a weekly list from you on Thursdays and it includes other posts. Is that an option? I thought I was in for a daily mail. lad I am getting something anyway. Sorry about my delay here, I’ve been swamped with medical appointments and such… Hope you had a good weekend. 🙂
Eliz
I noticed heaps of varieties of that sign in the Cotswolds this summer and was told of the background. Sound advice, wartime or not.
Yes, they seemed to be everywhere. I was in Washington, DC recently and saw it on several items in the gift shop.
Sorry bout that, Elizabeth. Let me know if you’re still getting the weekly list. It should definitely be daily.
No worries, you can catch up anytime. Life does have a way of putting things into perspective.
Not really sure what happened and worse, I don’t even know how to fix it. But I’m happy you’re getting something.
Thanks, Nancie! Thanks for doing Travel Thursday.
Yeah, right? This is one of the most interesting one I’ve seen.
You’re welcome, John! Glad you like
TY for the feedback, I am getting a weekly report but it’s fine… better that than Nada.
Best wishes,
What a fascinating board with such a variety of images.
Isn’t it? They fit nicely.
Hmmm… speaking of Bath, I forgot to tell you I got your postcards from Bath and the other places. Remarkable! Thank you! I’ll be sending you a return one!
Oh, glad you got them, Ozias. How’s it going?