Matchbox Cover

Matchbox Cover

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Description (Brief)
This celluloid matchbox cover is likely a piece of British propaganda from WWI. It depicts Lord Horatio Herbert Kitchener, Secretary of State for War in England during the First World War. The piece is "In Memorium" and gives his birth and death dates ("Born June 24th, 1850, Drowned June 5th, 1916") and states "He Did His Duty."
Kitchener was the face on the original "Your Country Needs You" recruiting poster, featuring his mustachioed face staring directly at the reader and his finger pointing straight out of the page. It has been endlessly imitated and parodied, the most famous result perhaps being the recruiting poster for the U.S. Army featuring Uncle Sam above the statement "I want YOU for U.S. Army!"
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
match box cover
date made
1916
place made
United Kingdom: England
Physical Description
cellulose nitrate (overall material)
tin (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 4 cm x 6 cm x 2.5 cm; 1 9/16 in x 2 3/8 in x in
overall: 1 5/8 in x 2 3/8 in x 1 in; 4.1275 cm x 6.0325 cm x 2.54 cm
ID Number
2006.0098.1603
catalog number
2006.0098.1603
accession number
2006.0098
Credit Line
Dadie and Norman B. Perlov
subject
Propaganda
World War I
England
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Chemistry
Celluloid
Industry & Manufacturing
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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