The Keep Calm and Carry On framed print that we sell at the Canton Box Company is by far one of my favorite pieces of artwork. I recreated this poster after seeing a version of it on a t-shirt when I was visiting Detroit this past winter. I instantly fell in love with the phrase because I think it is so terribly relevant right now. The t-shirt I saw did not have the original British crown on it, but had an image of the beautiful Spirit of Detoit statue. It wasn't until I came home and started doing some research on the phrase that I learned the history of the Keep Calm and Carry on print.
So here goes...
So here goes...
In the spring of 1939, just a few short months before they declared war on Germany in WWII, the British government's Ministry of Information commissioned a series of propoganda posters in the effort to reassure and lift the spirits of the people of Britian. All the posters featured the stark white lettering on a red background with an image of the crown of King George VI. 
The first two posters, which read "Your Courage, Your Cheerfulness, Your Resolution will Bring Us Victory" and "Freedom is in Peril" were sent to the printer in August of 1939 and displayed for the public in September 1939 - the same month that Britain entered the war. The third poster, "Keep Calm and Carry On" was meant only to be displayed during times of extreme crisis or invasion. Although over 2 million Keep Calm posters were printed, the poster was never officially released. Some posters may have found their way up on government walls, but for the most part the poster remained unseen until a copy was found in a box of dusty books over 50 years later.
The first two posters, which read "Your Courage, Your Cheerfulness, Your Resolution will Bring Us Victory" and "Freedom is in Peril" were sent to the printer in August of 1939 and displayed for the public in September 1939 - the same month that Britain entered the war. The third poster, "Keep Calm and Carry On" was meant only to be displayed during times of extreme crisis or invasion. Although over 2 million Keep Calm posters were printed, the poster was never officially released. Some posters may have found their way up on government walls, but for the most part the poster remained unseen until a copy was found in a box of dusty books over 50 years later. Sadly, the original artist for all 3 series of posters is still unknown. We have recreated the original artwork along with many other colors and have them for sale here. All of the prints come framed with double matting. If there is a color you would like, but don't see - let me know and I will add it for you!
No comments:
Post a Comment