Commonwealth of Australia unmasking the Peace Loan

Maker E B Studios

Date1919

Object number00018204

NamePoster

MediumOffset lithographic print on paper

DimensionsDisplay dimensions (Framed E fini): 1040 × 760 mm
Sheet: 650 x 507 mm

ClassificationsPosters and postcards

Credit LineANMM Collection

Collections

Recently digitised

Terms

DescriptionPoster from the aftermath of WWI showing a ship being returned to its post war role as a passenger liner. It depicts the camoflauge of war being unmasked to reveal the peace time colours underneath. The poster was printed by E.B. Studios, who published WWI propaganda posters for the Australian war effort and later for peace time efforts.

HistoryAlthough the war had ended, governments involved still had the pressing need to raise money to cover the extensive cost of the war and to fund solider pensions. To achieve these aims, the government launched campaigns similar to their war time bonds. These "Peace Loans" served to raise money for the government by people loaning money and receiving interest.
As with during the war, the pictures used were of war heroes, famous battle scenes and other appealing subjects such as ships and naval commanders that played on civilians patriotic sentiments.

SignificanceThis poster is immensely interesting in that it gives a glimpse not of the war itself but of the aftermath. As was the tradition of the time, psosters of this era depict subjects in a strongly emotive and patriotic light, showing how closely Australians still were linked with Britain and how much the Navy symbolized this. It is very illustrative of the fact that although the war was over, there were many years after where the nations financial and emotional state was still recovering.