This is a genuine and rare lithograph WWI Recruitment Poster.
It was published in 1916 by the Parliamentary Recruiting Committee, London.
It is captioned: He did his duty. Will you do yours? It is Poster No 20. Printed by Johnson, Riddle and Co., Ltd, London. S.E. and with the text: Bassano Bond Street.
Another example is in the collection of the Imperial War Museum.
My poster is NOT a later reproduction and is most definitely a 1916 lithographic printed one as in museum collections.
The poster shows a posthumous portrait of Lord Roberts of Kandahar (1832 - 1914). He served the majority of his military career in his country of birth, India.
His illustrious military career began by winning the Victoria Cross during the Indian Mutiny (1857-8) and he later served successfully in the Second Afghan War (1878-80) and the Boer War (1899-1902).
Known affectionately as 'Bobs' after Rudyard Kipling’s poem about him, he eventually became the last Commander-in-Chief of the British Army (1901-05).
Lord Roberts died in 1914 while visiting British troops on the Western Front - and his service was entirely appropriate for illustrating the caption on this poster.
The poster shows a framed portrait of the old soldier - with his sword, baton, plumed hat, and his Victoria Cross placed in front. The Union Flag is draped over the portrait and there is a laurel wreath at the top.
My print is as originally printed and in good condition. It has not been linen backed - and all the colours are nice and fresh.
There is no spotting or staining to the paper and would look wonderful framed up. Given that it has never been framed - it is unfaded.
It measures 76 x 50 cm.
The photographs in this listing are for the actual poster that will be sent to you. I obviously do not have another example of this rare poster available - but do have another original poster issued about the same time in my Iconic Edinburgh online shop.
The postage is for Next Day Special Delivery with UK Royal Mail. This will be capped at £10 and applied to your order at the checkout.