In the past we have looked at a number of souvenirs and charity items from WW1. What has characterised these has been they are small, cheap objects designed to be sold for a few pennies on the streets and in shops to the masses. In addition to these cheap items there was also a selection of more expensive souvenirs offered to those who had more money to spend and it is one of these more up market souvenirs we are looking at today.
This grey portfolio of prints of allied leaders dates from WW1:The label on the front shows it is a more up market item, as the price is listed as half a guinea:Inside the portfolio folds out to show six colour portraits of British Empire leaders:The first of these is Lloyd George, British Prime Minister from 1916:Next we have Admiral Earl Beatty, Commander in Chief of the Grand Fleet from 1916:The third portrait is of Field Marshall Earl Haigh, Commander of the British Expeditionary Force:In contrast to the pre-war scarlet of Earl Haigh, the portrait of Field Marshal Allenby depicts him in his khaki service dress:The penultimate portrait is of a former enemy of the British Empire, Louis Botha, who by World War One was back in the fold as leader of South Africa’s contribution to the war effort:The sixth and final portrait is of Field Marshall French, Commander in Chief Home Forces from 1916-1918:This interesting set of portraits was clearly an expensive souvenir, but illustrates that patriotic mementoes were purchased by all levels of British society including those with money.