Opie, R. The Wartime Scrapbook, 1998

Robert Opie maintains an unrivalled collection of advertising and packaging memorabilia, and many of his pieces from the Second World War are showcased in this scrapbook. There’s a little bit of everything in the book: posters, packaging, booklets, gas masks, badges, jars, magazines, etc.

There are little scraps of information dotted around on each page to explain the significance of some of the objects, but largely the objects are left to speak for themselves.

A very colourful book that will delight those who remember the war, and fascinate others! My only criticism would be that in the effort to maintain that ‘scrapbook’ feel very few items are seen complete! But then I suppose you need to go to the museum in Gloucester!

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Beable, J.M. (Mr)

Managing Director of A.A. Sites, behind the poster ‘What Price Churchill?’, placed as war became obvious. Also President of the London Poster Advertising Association.

Information collated from: Anonymous, ‘”What Price Churchill?” Posters were Backed by J.M. Beable’, Advertiser’s Weekly, Vol. 104, No. 1,369, August 17 1939, p.180; Anonymous, ‘”Due Credit” to M. of I. For Posters’, Advertiser’s Weekly, Vol. 105, No. 1,377, October 12 1939, p.34.

Hovis: 122 Years

Doesn’t this advert give just so much to talk about in classes… it was a great introduction to my module on “20th Century British History” – interesting to see what events they pick out as worthy of note:

• Titanic
• Suffragettes
• First World War (how young are those soldiers?)
• Motor Car
• Second World War: The Blitz, Churchill “We shall fight on the beaches”, a Spitfire
• Street Party (Victory Celebrations or the 1953 Coronation?)
• 1960s, including the 1966 celebrations
• 1980s Miners Strike
• Millennium Celebrations

Kevin Roberts, CEO Worldwide, Saatchi & Saatchi

Good to see that the modern day advertisers keep an eye on what has happened in history! And the CEO is not too busy to check his own blog.. I like that!