Free museum entry for New Zealanders and people living in New Zealand

Poster banner, 'Empire Marketing Board'

Object | Part of History collection

item details

NamePoster banner, 'Empire Marketing Board'
ProductionAustin Cooper; artist; late 1920s-early 1930s; United Kingdom
McCorquodale & Co. Ltd.; printing firm; late 1920s-early 1930s; United Kingdom
His Majesty's Stationery Office; publisher; late 1920s-early 1930s; United Kingdom
Empire Marketing Board; commissioner; late 1920s-early 1930s; United Kingdom
Classificationposters, banners
Materialspaper, ink
DimensionsOverall: 1664mm (width), 145mm (height)
Registration NumberGH021729
Credit lineAcquisition details/history unknown. Found in collection, 2012

Overview

This poster banner titled a set of five posters made to advertise the Empire Marketing Board (1926-1933). The Board was created by the Colonial Office in 1926 to stimulate trade between the United Kingdom and the colonies and dominions of the British Empire.

Over 800 posters were produced by the Empire Marketing Board. These posters were the British government's first peacetime propaganda campaign since the First World War. They presented the British Empire as a large extended family, where purchasing foods and goods amongst the member nations could help during a period of economic crisis.

Many well-known British and Dominion designers and artists, including E. McKnight Kauffer, Clive Gardiner, Harold Williamson, Charles Pears, Paul and John Nash, and Canadian-born Austin Cooper, were commissioned to produce artwork for the posters. The resulting posters were colourful and painted a world of abundance and vitality. Most of them were displayed in train stations, schools, shops, and factories, primarily in Britain. They were produced as single sheets or as part of large three- and five-part panoramas with title banners to accompany them.