Wake Up Britain ! Butler & Tanner Printers, Frome & London. Advertising leaflet, undated, c.1913-14.

WAKE UP AND ADVERTISE! EDWARDIAN INK MEETS IMPERIAL AMBITION

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This double sided advertisement from Butler & Tanner offers a compelling glimpse into Edwardian-era print culture, where technical prowess and visual clarity were paramount. Known for their lithographic excellence and multilingual output, Butler & Tanner positioned themselves as a printer of choice for international publicity work. The colour advert, with its bold typographic hierarchy and confident use of red and black ink, exemplifies the firm's mastery of persuasive layout. The "TO ADVERTISERS" heading commands attention and even the inclusion of telegram and telephone details, framed with typographic flourish, suggests a business eager to project modernity and reach. Culturally, this advert straddles a moment of transition, where patriotic fervour and commercial ambition coexisted in uneasy harmony. The "Wake Up Britain!" print channels wartime vigilance, invoking Britannia as a sentinel against foreign threat, while the reverse side pivots to economic opportunity, urging British producers to seize German trade. This dual messaging reflects a broader Edwardian tension: the desire to maintain imperial pride while adapting to global disruption. The advert's emphasis on multilingual catalogues and expert knowledge of the German market reveals a pragmatic, even opportunistic, approach to wartime commerce. It's not just a call to arms, it's a call to advertise. And in that blend of urgency and enterprise, we glimpse the beginnings of modern marketing strategy. Preserved in modern card covers, prepared for practicality - an unassuming but serviceable presentation that favours function over finery. Size: 14 x 22 cms. Quantity Available: 1. Category: Antiquarian & Rare; Historic Adverts; Special Features. Inventory No: 373746. This item may require more postage than the rates shown for delivery outside the UK. If extra postage is required we will contact you before processing your order and you will be given the details and option to decline the extra cost. Cosmo Books : 27 years selling on ABE; 27 years of taking care of customers on ABE; A seller you can rely on. Seller Inventory # 373746

Bibliographic Details

Title: Wake Up Britain ! Butler & Tanner Printers, ...
Binding: Unframed Print
Condition: Very Good