| Place | Europe: France |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | ARTV02236 |
| Collection type | Art |
| Measurement | Sheet: 76.4 x 50.8 cm |
| Object type | Poster |
| Physical description | Offset lithograph on paper |
| Maker |
French Army J. Weiner Ltd. |
| Place made | United Kingdom: England, Greater London, London |
| Date made | c.1940-1942 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
A tous les Francais
Description
This French Second World War poster contains a quote from General Charles de Gaulle from London, soon after he fled following the Axis invasion of France on 17 June 1940. The text comes from a speech known as the 'Appeal of 18 June', which was a short spot on the BBC given to de Gaulle by Churchill at their meeting on the previous day. The quote appeals to French civilians and resistance to continue to fight against the German occupation as part of the French Free Forces. The speech however fell largely on deft ears, with no known recordings surviving today, with the only records being partial transcripts such as this poster and some quotes in French resistance newspapers.
The quote is centred on the sheet with a set of crossed French flags at the top and De Gaulle's signature at the bottom and framed within a red and blue border.