{"product_id":"original-british-wwi-public-warning-airship-aeroplane-identification-poster-1915-damaged-19-1-2-x-29-1-2-inches","title":"Original British WWI Public Warning Airship \u0026 Aeroplane Identification Poster - 1915 - Damaged - 19 1\/2 x 29 1\/2 Inches","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a rough but exceptionally rare original British WWI public aircraft identification poster issued to help civilians distinguish between British and German airships and aeroplanes. Printed in 1915 under the authority of \u003cstrong\u003eHis Majesty’s Stationery Office\u003c\/strong\u003e, the poster combines aircraft silhouettes with clear civil-defense instructions telling the public when to take shelter and what information to report if hostile aircraft were observed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn identical example is held in the permanent collection of the \u003cstrong\u003eImperial War Museum in London\u003c\/strong\u003e, underscoring the historical significance of this early-war public warning poster.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe poster measures approximately \u003cstrong\u003e19 1\/2 x 29 1\/2 inches\u003c\/strong\u003e and retains strong color and legibility despite considerable age-related damage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe main title and warning text occupy the upper portion of the sheet in black, while the lower three-quarters contain 24 silhouetted depictions of British and German airships and aircraft, accompanied by explanatory text in both black and red. The entire design is set against a white background and enclosed within black and red borders.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe aircraft depicted are clearly of early-war types, helping date the poster visually to the opening period of WWI aviation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe principal warning text reads:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePUBLIC WARNING\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe public are advised to familiarise themselves with the appearance of British and German Airships and Aeroplanes, so that they may not be alarmed by British aircraft, and may take shelter if German aircraft appear. Should hostile aircraft be seen, take shelter immediately in the nearest available house, preferably in the basement, and remain there until the aircraft have left the vicinity: do not stand about in crowds and do not touch unexploded bombs.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eIn the event of HOSTILE aircraft being seen in country districts, the nearest Naval, Military or Police Authorities should, if possible, be advised immediately by Telephone of the TIME OF APPEARANCE, the DIRECTION OF FLIGHT, and whether the aircraft is an Airship or an Aeroplane.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe identification section includes:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGERMAN AIRSHIPS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNote specially the shape of the Airships and the position of the passenger cars\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eZEPPELIN\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSCHUTTE-LANZ\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePARSEVAL\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBRITISH AIRSHIPS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eH.M.A. ASTRA TORRES\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eH.M.A. BETA\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eH.M.A. ETA\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eH.M.A. PARSEVAL\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe aeroplane section warns:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNote specially the sloped-back wings of the German Aeroplanes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmong the German aircraft illustrated are:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSTAHLTAUBE MONOPLANE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRUMPLER TAUBE MONOPLANE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAVIATIK BIPLANE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eD.F.W. BIPLANE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eALBATROSS BIPLANE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBritish aircraft illustrated include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBRISTOL BIPLANE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBRISTOL BIPLANE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAVRO BIPLANE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAVRO BIPLANE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSHORT BIPLANE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eB.E. BIPLANE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eH. FARMAN BIPLANE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSOPWITH TRACTOR BIPLANE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSOPWITH TRACTOR BIPLANE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe lower publishing line reads in part:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLONDON: PRINTED UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF HIS MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE, By SIR JOSEPH CAUSTON AND SONS, LIMITED, 9, Eastcheap, E.C. ... 1915. PRICE TWOPENCE ... COPYRIGHT Sir Joseph Causton and Sons, Ltd London.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCondition is fair and should be carefully noted. The poster has heavy fold lines throughout from long-term storage. Two large pieces have torn away from the lower left corner. These pieces are retained and can be aligned with the main sheet, but even when positioned correctly there is still some material missing from that corner.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is also additional minor paper loss at the upper left corner, along with scattered edge tears, staining, and general wear throughout the margins.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImportantly, the printed information remains largely clear and the colors are still vibrant, so the poster retains excellent visual impact despite the damage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith professional archival framing, the detached pieces could be positioned in alignment with the main poster without being permanently reattached, allowing the original condition to remain honest while presenting the piece effectively.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a particularly evocative piece of British WWI home-front material, produced at a time when aerial warfare was still new enough that the public needed printed guidance to distinguish friendly aircraft from hostile German machines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNote:\u003c\/strong\u003e This poster ships folded.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44842126082117,"sku":"ONJR26MAAS045","price":395.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR26MAAS045__01.jpg?v=1775250931","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-british-wwi-public-warning-airship-aeroplane-identification-poster-1915-damaged-19-1-2-x-29-1-2-inches","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}