I keep seeing this print pop up in various magazine articles and online:
After seeing a poster in a room featured in the latest, and last-ever(!) issue of Domino I decided to do a little investigating into the saying's recent popularity. The magazine article said that the print was purchased on Etsy. I searched on Etsy and you can find the print in all sizes, as well as in totes and pendants. A lot of the sellers, however, didn't really explain the poster's origins so of course I turned to Google News :)
As it turns out, the print is a reproduction of one of three posters commissioned by the British government in 1939 with WWII looming. The posters were designed to boost the public's morale and resolve. Especially interesting, however, is that although 2.5 million copies of the poster were printed, they remained in storage throughout the war and were eventually destroyed. Two known copies currently remain: one is in the Imperial War Museum and the other was discovered amongst a pile of books by a second-hand bookstore owner in Northumberland, England. The bookstore owner liked the poster and decided to display it in his store. Customers loved the poster so much, he decided to start selling prints. In these unsettling times, the poster's saying has apparently resonated with people all over the world.
For more info about the posters' fascinating history and recent surge in popularity, check out this article in the BBC News Magazine and this one in the Telegraph.
My favorite version of the poster is this navy blue and pink one from www.keepcalmandcarryon.com which is the site owned by the bookstore owner who found one of the original prints.
With spring graduations coming before you know it, I think a copy of this poster would make a great gift for a graduate or someone starting college or grad school. (I am thinking I need one for myself to look at everyday that I go online to search job postings and find no new ones that I am qualified to apply for!)
With spring graduations coming before you know it, I think a copy of this poster would make a great gift for a graduate or someone starting college or grad school. (I am thinking I need one for myself to look at everyday that I go online to search job postings and find no new ones that I am qualified to apply for!)
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12 comments:
That is a fascinating story!
I think I'm going to buy one for myself! :)
Thanks for sharing this!!!
:D
hmm. love the history behind this, thanks for all your investigative work :) I think I need one of these for my kitchen, I think it can be applied to raising kids, yes? Have a great weekend!
I have been looking at this print for over a year now. I love it. I love the pink and white one!
Love it!!!
We had this print up in our apt before it was in Domino. I love it. Ours is green (white font) and we put it in a bright pink frame :)
I got a print of this about a year ago from a girl on Etsy & LOVE it! I know lots of people have it, but honestly, I get a ton of compliments on it & it brightens up any room! You won't regret your purchase!
That is so weird. My colleague has one in his office so I decided to do so research on the poster--then I log on to your blog and find that you have done the same!!
Love that poster! The link isn't working for me though. Know of anywhere else I can get one?
I really like it :) Hope you're having a good weekend!
Katee: Sorry, I fixed the link to keepcalmandcarryon.com!
There's lots of options on Etsy! I ordered a pendant!
I love that poster and the history behind it! I've been wanting one for a while, but I can't decide on a color... the pink and navy that you like is so nice!
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