World War One Munitions comic postcard 1

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Inter-Art Co. Ltd

c. 1915

Overview

Colourful comic postcard created by Donald McGill relating to female workers in munitions factories. A well-dressed woman is wearing a two piece, purple skirt suit and straw hat with large red ribbon. She is carrying a black umbrella and a blue-green handbag. She is looking at a sign on the green gate of a munitions factory. The chimneys on the inside of the red brick wall and gate are puffing out smoke. The sign reads 'Notice, All workers on munitions will work in shifts, By Order'. The woman responds with 'Well, I want to do my bit, but I draw the line at that!!"

The postcard is No. 1784 in the 'Comique' Series, published by the Inter-Art Co., Barnes, London, S.W.

Historical information

Donald McGill (1875-1962) was a graphic artist whose name has become synonymous with saucy seaside postcards that were sold mostly in small shops in British coastal resorts. He created over 12,000 postcards from 1904 till his death in 1962.
During World War One, he turned his attention to military humour. Although some of the puns and subject matter would now be considered politically incorrect, they are of their time.

Several of his designs are in the collection.

Pun on the word 'shift' meaning both a set period of work designed to maintain continuous production (important during wartime) and a woman's under-garment.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW00221

Item type

Collectibles

Ephemera

Postcards

Themes

Social History
War and Conflict
War and Conflict > World War 1

Material

Card

Ink