I can’t say for sure, but I think that sfgirlbybay started the whole “Keep Calm and Carry On” poster craze when she blogged about it back in October of 2006. I wanted one for myself, but at the time, the only option was to order one from Barter Books in the U.K. Not feeling like paying for international shipping, I held back. Shortly thereafter, a bunch of people, including sfgirlbybay, began selling reproductions of the poster online. Suddenly they were everywhere–including my apartment.
Check out the original:
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Now they come in many different colors…
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And lots of people have them…
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Including my friend, Katie…
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And me!
So what got me thinking about this all of a sudden? I mean, it’s certainly made it’s way ’round and ’round the blogosphere. It’s because I just came across this painting by Wexford Girl, which might be my favorite of all the versions of the iconic WWII poster.
Click here for the history of “Keep Calm and Carry On.” I think the message is a good one, especially in uncertain times like these.
This is really cool. I like the message and the creative. Would be a nice addition to any home I think.
love it! where did you get the ‘we are so good together’ poster? I’ve been looking for it!!
@Katie: We ordered it from ReForm School – http://www.reformschoolrules.com/pc/wearesogood/art101/We+Are+So+Good+Together+Poster
Like the Keep Calm and Carry On poster, it’s an odd size, so we had to do some creative framing!
Hi! Thanks for posting my painting.
I got my poster from The Reform School, and one day in the studio, looking for inspiration, I decided to hand draw and paint a version on wood. I coated it with thick shiny resin, and you can still see the pencil marks. I like hand drawn lettering a lot! The painting now resides in the home of my dear friend Gina.
I since got a pink one from SFgirlbybay, and it’s really lovely quality (hand silk-screened), better than my original one from The Reform School – I think they get theirs from England.
Annie: If you ever paint another one, let me know!
I didn’t realize that sfgirlbybay’s version were a better quality than the ones from Reform School. That’s good to know in case I ever need to buy another. Do you know if hers are a different size than the Reform School ones?
This truly made my day. I’m such a type nerd, and was having a bad go of it yesterday, and seeing this poster really helped. Well played! Thanks so much!
Meg,
I’m happy to hear that it made your day. What a nice compliment. Just out of curiosity, how did you stumble upon my little blog?
PJ
http://www.cafepress.com/KeepCalmCarryOn
.. it gets even better!!
[...] haven’t seen these prints before, you must check them out here at BluLima. Isn’t the history behind these prints (and the way it has spread across the blogosphere) interesting, [...]
There’s an interesting story behind this poster, The couple that own one of Britain’s largest 2nd hand bookstores in the north of England are the one’s who first came across the poster and started to print it… read the story at the link below.
http://www.barterbooks.co.uk/keepcalm.php
However it’s the guys who own keepcalmandcarryon.com who take most of the credit for it. Barterbooks is where they first acquired the poster. Admittedly the guys saw the potential in the iconic imagery and new how to capitalise on it… and of course the poster is copyright free and in the public domain, but still it’s his lack of recognition of the discoverer’s of the poster that annoys me.
If anyone wants to purchase one some ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ stuff I suggest you do it from the the true home of the iconic found phrase.. Barter Books, Alnwick, Northumberland. http://www.barterbooks.co.uk
Hey! I also just ordered the poster from sfgirlbybay- I was wondering about your frame, though-I really like how you matted and framed it-I got the IKEA one she suggested, but I am not happy with it-do you remember-and will you share where you got your tan frame(and the size)thanks so much
Karen– Thanks for your comments! We bought both the frame and an uncut mat at Blick, the art store, which my husband then cut to size.
Hope that helps!