An extraordinary collection of patriotic First World War recruitment posters have been unearthed after 100 years stashed under the stairs of a pensioner’s Brighton home.
In total, 10 morale-boosting posters were found – all of which belonged to an elderly former airport worker now in her 90s.
The haul was discovered as part of a house clearance. The colourful posters had been stashed under the stairs of the woman’s house for many decades
One carries a powerful image of a soldier stood in France reaching out his hand to a fellow Brit in civilian costume, urging him to ‘come lad, slip across and help’.
A rare collection of patriotic First World War recruitment posters have been unearthed after 100 years stashed under the stairs of a Brighton home
The large 48in by 40in poster was printed by David Allen & Sons of Harrow, from north London, who were the biggest billboard company of their time.
They went out of business in 1939.
Another combative poster displays a German soldier being crushed by a giant coin with the caption ‘lend your five shillings to your country and crush the Germans’.
Another combative poster displays a German soldier being crushed by a giant coin with the caption ‘lend your five shillings to your country and crush the Germans’. Another encourages men to ‘enlist today’
Several of the posters carry passionate calls to arms as Brits were asked to ‘enlist now’ and ‘join our brave men at the front’.
It was not just about serving on the front line, as the posters highlighted other ways Brits could assist the war effort.
One poster urges Brits to invest in war loans, while another acknowledges the valuable contribution of men and women working in the munitions factories.
Several of the posters carry passionate calls to arms as Brits were asked to ‘enlist now’ and ‘join our brave men at the front’
It was not just about serving on the front line, as the posters highlighted other ways Brits could assist the war effort
The overall collection is tipped to sell for £1,000.
Andrew Potter, auctioneer at Brighton General Auctions, who are selling the collection, said: ‘We were shocked when we found the posters folded up and tucked away under the stairs in the vendor’s home.
‘She is a lady in her 90s and she herself delivered shells and armaments in the Second World War.
Auctioneer Andrew Potter said: ‘We were shocked when we found the posters folded up and tucked away under the stairs in the vendor’s home’
The auction is scheduled to take place on January 12 at Brighton General Auctions
‘There are some beautiful posters and what I find particularly striking about them are the graphics and bright colours.
‘Because they have been out of the light the colours haven’t faded, although some of them are in better condition than others.
‘There is a lot of interest in recruitment posters and it certainly is the case with this collection.’
The auction takes place on January 12.