WW1 English Propaganda Poster By Lawson Wood

This vibrant and hugely evocative WW1 propaganda poster was produced by English painter, illustrator and designer Lawson Wood in 1914 - the first year of the war. Set against the striking red background a young boy wearing an oversized helmet carries a sword in one hand and has a Union Jack flag draped over the other arm, below him is the caption 'Waiting for Daddy. "I must take care of Mummy now"'. Lawson Wood, sometimes Clarence Lawson Wood, (1878 – 1957) known for humorous depictions of cavemen and dinosaurs, policemen, and animals, especially a chimpanzee called Gran'pop. During World War I, Wood served as an officer in the Kite Balloon Wing of the Royal Flying Corps and was responsible for spotting planes from a hot-air ballon. The duty was dangerous, and Wood was decorated by the French for his action over Vimy Ridge. Wood's patriotic designs, like the above were published by Dobson Molle & Co. This particular design is one that I've not managed to find another example of online or in reference books, though it's true to Lawson's style, especially with the small plain text caption along the bottom. A rare poster by all accounts, it has been kept away from daylight and the colours remain strong and unfaded. At some point it was framed in this lovely quality (albeit slightly period incorrect), maplewood frame with gilt inner slip which works nicely with the poster's warm colours. Unfortunately whoever did the framing decided to trim the poster to fit the frame; the bottom edger with the slogan has been trimmed off and pasted further up the poster and the margin on the left side is smaller than that on the right, possibly just tucked behind the slip, but possibly trimmed dow too. Even with the trimming this is a real collector's piece and from an aesthetic point of view it remains a highly effective, very striking piece that displays well and is ready to hang. Including the frame, the poster measures 61cm (2ft) high x 46cm wide x 2cm deep.