Final year BA Conservation: Books & Paper student Rhys Briggs is working on a poster issued early during the Second World War by the Ministry of Health. The poster appeals to mothers of evacuated children to keep them safe and not bring them back to cities for fear of a more significant bombing campaign to come.
There were two versions of this poster made. The first bore the message ‘Leave your children where they are’, which was later changed to ‘Leave your children in the safer areas’. Initial assessment of this copy revealed that the revised message had simply been adhered over the top of the original.
In addition to removing the poster from its unsuitable lining and plywood backing, Rhys has been working to detach the printing revision so that both parts can be displayed alongside one another. In doing so, the history of the object, why it was made and why it was changed, can be told in its entirety.
Rhys’ projects will be on display at the Degree Show in June alongside his peers, the first graduates from our BA Conservation: Books & Paper course since it launched in 2020.
Visit the Degree Show between 24-30 June, more information here.
