Link to website devoted to Captain Bruce Bairnsfather
'The Bystander's' magazine 'Fragments from France' Volume 1 by Bruce Bairnsfather
c. 1916'The Bystander's' magazine 'Fragments from France' Volume 1 by Bruce Bairnsfather. First in a series of eight compilations of cartoons.
The cover is grey with dark blue text, some of which is just outlines and other solid colour.
A cartoon is affixed to the front depicting two soldiers in a trench with explosions and gunfire going off behind them. One is saying to the other 'Well, if you knows of a better 'ole. go to it'. The cartoon is in mostly grey and light brown/sepia tones but has red highlights in the centre of the explosions.
The price is written in a circle on the lower right of the cover.
A portrait of Captain Bruce Bairnsfather appears in the foreword by the editor of the magazine.
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
On cover:
"THE BYSTANDER'S
FRAGMENTS
from FRANCE
By
Capt. Bruce Bairnsfather
1/- NET"
On printed illustration on cover:
"Well, if you knows of a better 'ole, Go to it"
Related Objects
Related Objects
Other items by 'The Bystander' magazine
- 'The Bystander's' magazine 'Fragments from France' Volume 5 by Bruce Bairnsfather
- Bruce Bairnsfather cartoon postcard 2
- Bruce Bairnsfather cartoon postcard 3
- 'The Bystander's' magazine 'Fragments from France' Volume 2 by Bruce Bairnsfather
- Bruce Bairnsfather cartoon postcard 4
- 'The Bystander's' magazine 'Fragments from France' Volume 6 by Bruce Bairnsfather
- 'The Bystander's' magazine 'Fragments from France' Volume 4 by Bruce Bairnsfather
- 'The Bystander's' magazine 'Fragments from France' Volume 3 by Bruce Bairnsfather
- Bruce Bairnsfather cartoon postcard 1
Other items from Recollections of War
- Bruce Bairnsfather 'Old Bill' moulded fibre figurine in original box
- Peace Beaker celebrating the end of the Great War - large
- Peace Beaker celebrating the end of the Great War - Jarrow
- WWI era patriotic bone china tankard
- Peace Cup celebrating the end of the Great War
- WWI era patriotic bone china cup and saucer - 1914
- WWI era patriotic bone china fluted cup, saucer and plate set
- WWI patriotic fundraising silk ribbon
- 'The Lord Mayor's Chinese Famine Relief Appeal' fundraising pin - 2 shillings
- 'The Lord Mayor's Chinese Famine Relief Appeal' fundraising pin - 6 pennies
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