Bruce Bairnsfather cartoon postcard 1

According to the National Army Museum 'Charles Bruce Bairnsfather (1888-1959) served with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment on the Western Front during World War One (1914-1918). Before the war he had attempted to make his living as a commercial artist and he continued to sketch while at the Front.
The horror of trench warfare had a profound effect on the young infantry officer but it was the stoic good humour of his men that inspired most of the cartoons he produced. Encouraged by his work's popularity with officers and men alike, Bairnsfather submitted a cartoon entitled, 'Where Did That One Go To?', to the 'The Bystander' magazine and it was accepted and published. Compilations of his cartoons, notably the 'Fragments from France' series, followed. Bairnsfather's artwork was reproduced widely in various forms and became the subject of successful theatrical and film productions.
Invalided home, Bairnsfather became quite a celebrity but the British authorities seemed disinclined to promote the artist or his work. Bairnsfather was however in demand from Britain's allies and he went on to work with the French, Italian and United States armies.'

From May 1916 the publishers of 'The Bystander' issued Bruce Bairnsfather's Fragments from France cartoons as postcards. Nine sets of cards, each comprising of six sepia postcards in their own illustrated envelope were published in total. Issued monthly, the cards were priced at 8d per set.

The first six of 'The Bystander' magazine compilations are featured in the collection, along with postcards, china souvenirs and a boxed cardboard/papier mache figurine of 'Old Bill'.