Magazine illustrations, advertisements and government information posters, published during World War Two, offer a fascinating insight into social attitudes of the time - as well as the impact of wartime austerity. Equally, the War Savings posters reveal aspects of the propaganda war, in the appeals of the British and US governments to the patriotism of their respective peoples.
UK War Savings Certificates, or War Bonds, were first introduced during World War One to allow the government to borrow more money. They proved a huge success. Although the scheme continued during the inter-war years, it saw its second period of massive growth during World War Two. By the end of 1945, it had reached the amazing figure of £1,754 million.
