Monthly Archives: October 2014

Punch Cartoon 51

October 31, 2014Art, Artist, L. Patten, Punch cartoonart, artist, Charles Meryon, etching, First World War, gargoyle, Kaiser, Meryon, Parisnotes to the milkman

This cartoon of the Kaiser as a gargoyle is based on an etching by Charles Méryon:

Cartoon by L. Patten

Published in Punch 28th October 1914

Charles Méryon, according to Wikipedia, was “a French artist, who worked almost entirely in etching, as he suffered from colour-blindness. Although now little-known in the English-speaking world, he is generally recognised as the most significant etcher of 19th century France. He also suffered from mental illness, dying in an asylum.” This is the original etching on which the cartoon is based:

Punch Cartoons 50

October 30, 2014Art, Artist, George Denholm Armour, Lewis Baumer, Punch cartoonart, artist, Boer War, class, class system, home front, shooting, sport, World War Onenotes to the milkman

Class was often a basis for humour in Punch cartoons a hundred year ago.

Cartoon by Lewis Baumer

Published in Punch 28th October 1914

Cartoon by G. D. Armour

Published in Punch 28th October 1914

Punch Cartoons 49

October 29, 2014A. Wallis Mills, Art, Artist, G. Jennis, Leonard Raven-Hill, Punch cartoonart, cavalry, Kaiser, oolans, recruitment, trenches, Uhlans, Western Front, World War 1notes to the milkman

The “oolans” mentioned in the first cartoon were actually Uhlans who were, according to Wikipedia “Polish light cavalry armed with lances, sabres and pistols. The title was later used by lancer regiments in the Russian, Prussian, and Austrian armies.”

Cartoon by L. Raven-Hill

Published in Punch 28th October 1914

This is the third cartoon which has me wondering about the possibility of life imitating art. I’ve previously published cartoons about the rumour of ‘snow on their boots’ and ‘go for a walk and then come back and tell me how old you are’ stories. This story of soldiers shooting at targets in the enemy trenches and a shovel being held up if they hit the target is another popular story of the time. Were the cartoonists illustrating stories they had heard or did people start talking about the cartoons and, as with Chinese whispers, after a time the fact that it was a cartoon was forgotten?

Cartoon by A. Wallis Mills

Published in Punch 28th October 1914

As well as the cartoon, I’ve included a poem which is typical of the ones published in Punch at the time:

Cartoon by G. Jennis

Published in Punch 28th October 1914

Punch Cartoon 48

October 28, 2014Art, Artist, Leonard Raven-Hill, Punch cartoonart, Belgium, First World War, Kaiser, North Sea, political, propaganda, sea, wavesnotes to the milkman

This full page political cartoon was published exactly one hundred years ago.

“The Limit”
The Kaiser: “What are the wild waves saying?”
Wild Waves: “We were just saying, ‘Thus far, and no farther!'”

Cartoon by Leonard Raven-Hill

Published in Punch 28th October 1914

Postcards of the Great War 46

October 27, 2014Art, Artist, Frederick Spurgin, Postcard966, art, artist, children, First World War, Inter-art, navy, Russia, World War 1notes to the milkman

In addition to humour, postcards from the First World War also did ‘cute’. These two children represent Russia. The flag is the ensign of the Russian navy during the war.

Artist: Frederick Spurgin – Inter-Art Co., London

“Comrade” Series No. 966

Postmarked Leytone 3rd June 1916

Postcards of the Great War 45

October 26, 2014Art, Artist, Postcard, Reg Maurice3246, art, artist, colonel, corporal, First World War, home front, promotion, shopnotes to the milkman

Artist: Reg Maurice – The Regent Publishing Co Ltd

No 3246

Not postally used

Postcards of the Great War 44

October 25, 2014Art, Artist, Beeart, artist, billets, child, First World War, food, grocer, home front, shopnotes to the milkman

According to one article: “Rationing was introduced into Britain at the tail end of World War One – in February 1918. After the initial panic buying, people settled down into a routine and food was not a problem until the end of 1916. … However, in 1917, the Germans introduced unrestricted submarine warfare and merchant ships were sunk with great frequency. This had a drastic impact on Britain’s food supply and with great losses in the Atlantic, food had to be rationed so that no-one starved in Britain.”

This card is signed Bee, an artist with which I am not familiar.

Artist: Bee

No 940 H.B. Series

Postmarked Sutton Bridge Aug 18th 1917

Postcards of the Great War 43

October 24, 2014Art, Artist, Ernest Nobleart, artist, children, comic card, First World War, home front, ration card, rationing, sugarnotes to the milkman

While most of my postcards are by Douglas Tempest and Bruce Bairnsfather, I do have a handful of cards by other artists. This one is by Ernest Noble.

Artist: Ernest Noble – No Publisher given

No. 953

Written on, but not postally used

Punch Cartoon 47

October 23, 2014Art, Artist, Leonard Raven-Hill, Punch cartoonart, artist, First World War, football, home front, Punch, World War 1, World War Onenotes to the milkman

This full page cartoon was published in Punch on 21st October 1914. According to Wikipedia “Between 1915 and 1919 competitive football was suspended in England. Many footballers signed up to fight in the war and as a result many teams were depleted, and fielded guest players instead. The Football League and FA Cup were suspended.”