This circa 1915 French wartime propaganda poster is a striking example of World War I-era rationing efforts, emphasizing collective sacrifice and equitable distribution. Designed under the direction of the Comité de Prévoyance et d’Économies, this poster encouraged the French population to ration essential goods, particularly sugar, during the war.
At the heart of the artwork is a symbolic sugar loaf, partially cut by a saber, visually reinforcing the message of dividing resources fairly. The text reads:
"Avec la carte, nous en aurons peu – mais nous en aurons tous."
("With the ration card, we will have little – but we will all have some.")
This message aimed to instill a sense of national solidarity and compliance with rationing policies. The lower inscription, "Casse aujourd’hui ton sucre en deux pour en avoir demain?" ("Break your sugar in half today to have some tomorrow?"), serves as a direct appeal to personal responsibility in wartime resource management.
The bold yet simple color scheme (blue, red, black, and beige) gives the poster a striking visual identity, making it both an effective propaganda piece and a historically significant artifact.
This rare wartime poster is a powerful reminder of civilian resilience and the role of public cooperation in wartime economies. Due to its historical importance and striking design, it remains highly collectible, particularly among WWI memorabilia...
Category
1910s Prints and Multiples
MaterialsLinen, Paper, Lithograph
