Collection of British war posters produced during the Second World War, 1940-1945

The posters cover many aspects of domestic life during the Second World War. Some provide colourful images and slogans to get across simple messages encouraging people to contribute to the war effort. Examples of well-known series are included, such as 'Dig for Victory', 'Careless Talk Costs Lives', and 'Make-do and Mend'. Other posters are in the style of broad-sheets, providing detailed reports on the progress of the war, or instructions for the use of particular equipment.

Posters.

The posters have been arranged by subject matter and the Ministry responsible for their production.

• <corpname>Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Ministry of Works and Planning</corpname>
• <corpname>Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Ministry of Home Security</corpname>
• <corpname>Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Ministry of Fuel and Power</corpname>
• <corpname>Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Ministry of Supply</corpname>
• <corpname>Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Ministry of War Transport</corpname>
• <corpname>Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Ministry of Labour and National Service</corpname>
• <corpname>Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Ministry of Information</corpname>
• <corpname>Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Ministry of Health</corpname>
• <corpname>Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Board of Trade</corpname>
• <corpname>Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Admiralty</corpname>

Photocopies and photographic copies can be supplied for educational use and private study purposes only, depending on copyright status and the condition of the documents.

Permission to make any published use of any material from the collection must be sought in advance in writing from the Keeper of the Department of Manuscripts and Special Collections (email: mss-library@nottingham.ac.uk). The Department will try to assist in identifying copyright owners but this can be difficult and the responsibility for copyright clearance before publication ultimately rests with the person wishing to publish.

The majority of the material is accessible to all registered readers. Some series are currently restricted.

The posters were formerly in the possession of Professor Vivian de Sola Pinto of the University of Nottingham. They were found in a packing case in which a donation of Pinto library materials to the University were packed, and were acquired by The University of Nottingham's Department of Manuscripts and Special Collections in June 1977.

Various Ministries within the British government produced information posters thoughout the course of the Second World War. Posters in this collection were issued by the Ministry of Works and Planning, the Ministry of Home Security, the Ministry of Fuel and Power, the Ministry of Supply, the Ministry War Transport, the Admiralty, the Ministry of Labour and National Service, the Ministry of Information, the Ministry of Health and the Board of Trade.