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Don't Distract Your Mates

Poster
ca. 1942 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This World War II-era poster designed by Bruce Angrave is a grim reminder of the serious injury or death that could result from inattention in the workplace. Many people's jobs during the war would have been for the direct benefit to the war effort. Angrave's image of a black tree, bearing the fruits of prosthetic limbs and a casket would also have served as a stark reminder of the war's physical toll on British soldiers.

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleDon't Distract Your Mates (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Colour lithograph
Brief description
Propaganda poster by Bruce Angrave for safety in the workplace. UK, ca. 1942.
Physical description
Coffin, weeping tree, crutches, prostheses.
Dimensions
  • Height: 74.6cm
  • Width: 49.9cm
Small outsize portrait frame size.
Marks and inscriptions
  • These are the fruits of horseplay
  • DON'T DISTRACT YOUR MATES
  • Issued by the Ministry of Labour and National Service and produced by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, Terminal House, 52, Grosvenor Gardens, London, S.W.1.
  • Printed by Loxley Bros Ltd.
  • Bruce Angrave
  • MLN/130
Credit line
Gift of the American Friends of the V&A; Gift to the American Friends by Leslie, Judith and Gabri Schreyer and Alice Schreyer Batko
Subjects depicted
Place depicted
Summary
This World War II-era poster designed by Bruce Angrave is a grim reminder of the serious injury or death that could result from inattention in the workplace. Many people's jobs during the war would have been for the direct benefit to the war effort. Angrave's image of a black tree, bearing the fruits of prosthetic limbs and a casket would also have served as a stark reminder of the war's physical toll on British soldiers.
Other number
LS.1825 - Leslie Schreyer Loan Number
Collection
Accession number
E.710-2004

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Record createdSeptember 30, 2004
Record URL
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