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Half sheet original British World War II propaganda poster from the iconic "Back Them Up!" series, created around 1942 by British artist Harold Pym.
Poster Overview
• Caption & Slogan. The subtitle reads "British field-guns smash a German tank attack at point-blank range in Libya," paired with the bold campaign call to action "BACK THEM UP!"
• Artist & Publisher. Illustrated by Harold Pym (signed HAROLD PYM at the bottom left of the artwork), the poster was published by His Majesty's Stationery Office (HMSO) and printed in London by James Haworth & Brother Ltd.
• Dimensions. Standard Crown size for this series is approximately 20 × 30 inches (50 × 76 cm).
Historical Context
• The "Back Them Up!" Series. Produced during World War II for the British Home Front, this campaign highlighted dramatic battlefield victories across land, sea, and air to boost civilian morale, encourage war savings, and drive factory production.
• North African Campaign. The artwork depicts British artillery crews operating under camouflage netting in the Western Desert, firing directly into advancing German Panzer tanks (identifiable by the Balkenkreuz cross) while Axis crew members surrender in the smoke. |
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