1915 Back Them Up Invest In The War Loan E. Kealey British WWI

Date: 1915
Artist: Kealey, Edgar James   
Size (in): 29.5” x 19.75”
Size (cm): 75 x 50
Condition: B
Linen backed: Yes 

This original antique 1915 poster is one of several that Edgar James Kealey designed for the British government during The Great War.   Kealey produced British war posters for both recruiting purposes and to help persuade British citizens to invest in War Loans or bonds that helped pay for the cost of the war. This poster is one of the later type and depicts a man in a business suit digging into his pocket for a few quid as the silhouette of a horsedrawn artillery piece passes behind him.  This scene is bracket by the title: 

BACK THEM UP – IINVEST IN THE WAR LOAN 

The lower margin indicates this poster was published as Poster 15 by the Parliamentary War Savings Committee of London and printed by Hill, Siffken & Co., Grafton Works, London. Also printed on the lower margin is “7/15” which we take to indicate a July 1915 publication date.   

This poster is on an older linen backing with wooden dowels attached on the top and bottom edges that appear to be original to when the poster was issued originally in 1915. The wooden dowels could be removed easily if you wanted to do that.  The poster shows some small abrasions and light lateral creasing in places and some toning from age.  The original colors are retained and the poster displays very well.  Overall condition is very good for the original antique British WWI poster.