c.1944 Great Britain Her Natural & Industrial Resources Pictorial Map WWII Era

Date: c.1944
Artist: Unknown    
Size (in): 39.5” x 29.75”
Size (cm): 100 cm x 75.5 cm 
Condition: A-/B+
Linen backed: No

This vintage original WWII era pictorial map poster of Great Britain was issued by the British Information Service, a wartime propaganda agency of the government of the United Kingdom.   This colorful map is richly illustrated with icons and symbols showing Great Britain’s agricultural and industrial resources.  An extensive key printed over the Republic of Ireland on the lower left side identifies each of the 30+ symbols and icons.   The lower right corner is printed “Distributed by the British Information Service an agency of the British Government, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York City.” 

This pictorial map poster isn’t dated but the British Information Service was established in 1941 and operated under that name until March 1946 when the wartime Ministry of Information was transitioned to the Central Office of Information as the UK’s primary governmental marketing and communications agency.  The poster was primarily issued as a propaganda piece portraying Great Britain as a self-sufficient economic power rich in national and industrial resources which wasn’t exactly the case for an economy that had been severely impacted by the immense cost and debt created by the national emergency of WWII.    

This vintage original poster is free or tape or pinholes and shows moderate handling wear and some toning from age.   This poster was folded slightly irregularly.  The original colors are strongly retained and overall condition is very good for this vintage WWII era original.