Donald McGill, the artist who illustrated this postcard, signed his name below the comic image that he created of a small boy swamped by an adult British soldier’s tunic, belt and cap and holding a toy sword. The caption beneath his name reads, ‘Brings the war home to you doesn’t it – all us military chaps about !’. On the back, the printed text states ‘Inter-Art Co., Red Lion Square, London, W.C. / “COMIQUE” Series No. 1329 British Manufacture Throughout.’. Also on the reverse is a handwritten name and address – ‘Master Fred Daly ? / Little Coates / Nr Grimsby’ – along with a message, dated ‘March 3rd 1916’. The message reads, ‘Isn’t this a fine chap just like Freddie. It is Bettys ? birthday she is having a fine time. I gave her a tricycle. How is Mummy & ? & Daddy. My love to them. Your loving Grannie x x x x x x x x’. The postmark informs us that it was stamped at Wilmslow, Manchester, at 7.45pm on 3 March 1916. || A British comic and patriotic postcard || || Recruitment and Conscription || Home Front || Postcard || A British comic postcard.

Reg Maurice created the scene on the front of this postcard, captioned ‘The old street looks just the same’. His name can be seeen in the bottom left-hand corner. The artist has depicted a soldier who has returned home, his steel helmet on his back, rifle over his shoulder and duffle bag in his hand. He is surveying a street scene in which children are playing and fighting and people are going about their daily business. Apart from ‘Printed in England.’ and ‘Regent Series’, the typeset details on the reverse have been obscured by a message written in black ink, which reads, ‘Dearest Freda / I received letter alright. Glad to hear you are all pretty well. I have a little cold. a dear it is. but am thinking of pawning it. My mate ? had a cold and he tried to drown it and when he came back I had to take his boots off he tried beer, but it was no use. Well Dear, heaps of love to you all, your ? Freddie ? xxxxxxxx’. The postcard is addressed to ‘Miss F Parsons / Kestle Farm / St Columb Minor / Cornwall’. The postmark is partially legible: ‘GT YARMOUTH in Norfolk / 11 / 10 OCT 18’. || A British sentimental postcard || || Postcard || A British sentimental postcard || Front

Frederick Spurgin, whose name can be seen on the right, is the artist who depicted the small girl on the front of this postcard. She is wearing nothing but a red ribbon in her hair and a quasi-military badge tied to her chest with a red, white and blue ribbon. ‘MY OWN BOY’S REGIMENT’ is emblazoned around the edge of the badge, with ‘LOVE’ appearing in the centre. The postcard is titled ‘I’ll only wear your badge!’. The printed details on the reverse include ‘Art and Humour Publishing Co., Limited, Chancery Lane, London, W / A & H “CHARMERS” Series. No. 222. British Manufacture.’. The card has been franked ‘WILLESDEN N.W.10 in London / 8.15 PM / 5 OCT 18’. It has been addressed in pencil to ‘Mrs C. Mills / 89 Kinnerton St / Wilton Place / S. W. 1 in London’. The message reads, ‘Dear Babs/ I hope you will have a nice week end. I am spending a very quiet one. Much love Nell xx’. || A British sentimental postcard || || Postcard || Front || A British sentimental postcard