'The Bystander's' magazine 'Fragments from France' Volume 5 by Bruce Bairnsfather

c. 1917
Overview

'The Bystander's' magazine 'Fragments' Number Five by Bruce Bairnsfather. Fifth in a series of eight compilations of cartoons.
The cover is grey blue with toned tan edges and has dark blue text. Unlike the first four compilations, there is no cartoon affixed to the cover. Instead, there is a large figure '5' with an image of 'Old Bill' smiling in the lower curve of the number.
The price is written in a circle on the lower right hand side of the cover.
A pencil sketch of Captain Bruce Bairnsfather appears in the foreword by the editor of the magazine.

Historical information

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.'

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'.

Details

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-119-RoW00366
Width
220 mm
Height or length
280 mm
Inscriptions and markings

'THE BYSTANDER'S
FRAGMENTS
NO.
5
BY
Bruce Bairnsfather
1/9
NET"

Place made
United Kingdom
Year
Primary significance criteria
Artistic or aesthetic significance
Social or spiritual significance
Comparative significance criteria
Interpretive capacity
Related Objects

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Recollections of War

Recollections of War

Organisation Details
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'Fragments from France' Volume 5 by Bruce Bairnsfather
'Fragments from France' Volume 5 by Bruce Bairnsfather
Foreword to 'Fragments from France' Volume 5 by Bruce Bairnsfather
Foreword to 'Fragments from France' Volume 5 by Bruce Bairnsfather
'Fragments from France' Volumes 1-6 by Bruce Bairnsfather
'Fragments from France' Volumes 1-6 by Bruce Bairnsfather
The Bruce Bairnsfather collection
The Bruce Bairnsfather collection

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