Rare wartime posters to go on sale

A rare collection of World War II propaganda posters is to go under the hammer, an auctioneer said yesterday.

The 150 prints, bearing morale-boosting slogans such as Mightier Yet and Keep Calm And Carry On, are being sold by Wallis and Wallis Auction Galleries in Lewes, East Sussex, next week.

Auctioneer Roy Butler said they were brought in by a relative of a worker who saved them from being thrown away during a clear-out at a print firm.

He said: "They are all in mint condition and are a very rare find. I expect there will be a lot of interest from museums all around the country.

"I should think some of these posters may not have even been seen before so they are very special."

Many of them are part of the Back Them Up range of posters aimed at encouraging civilians to join the armed forces.

Others bear extracts from Winston Churchill's speeches, such as "We shall not fail", while some carry warnings such as Tell Nobody - Not Even Her, Careless Talk Costs Lives and Keep Mum - She's Not Dumb.

Mr Butler said he expects each lot of around 10 posters to sell for up to £250, although there is "no real yardstick" as he has not known of such a collection to go on sale before. The auction will take place on March 23.