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Catalogue information
LastDodo number
5532291
Area
Drawings / paintings
Title
Popularity
Artist
Art object
Art Movement / style
Genre
Material
Technique used
Colouring
Dimensions
53 x 36 cm
Series / hero
Collection / set
Number
Addition to number
Year
1941
Country
Language
Details
Original editorial cartoon on board in pen and ink, published in the London Evening News, 1941, as one of the World War Two ‘Smiling Through’ series, shows a man being greeted by his wife with the news: ‘Quite a fan mail for you this morning, John. Income tax, property tax, war damage insurance claim ... AND your calling-up papers’. Conscription into national service in the armed forces began in 1939 in Britain, but it is was only in 1941 that men older than 41 could also be conscripted. Many of these older men, and this particular individual as well, would probably not be sent on active service but would be used for defence work such as the home guard (Dad’s Army). This may be why his wife is cheerful and making a joke of it, since she would probably not be quite so amused if her husband was about to be sent to the front lines (though of course you never know). Board size 53 x 36 cm (21 x 14 inch), image size 38 x 33 cm, signed lower centre, caption pasted on and written in ink in lower border, dated 30-9-41 (this is not clear), numbered 2203. Some light staining, otherwise in good condition.