Magnet, De Gaulle's message - 18 June 1940

Rectangular magnet  of the print incorrectly referred to as the “Appeal of June 18.”

The text of this poster is a synthesis of the speeches delivered by de Gaulle on the B.B.C. on June 18, 19, and 22, 1940. Its design features the two crossed tricolour flags used on general mobilization posters. This graphic element reinforces the patriotic power of the message contained in the text: all French citizens must mobilize to save France.

In 1940, three print runs of this poster were produced in England. The first was printed in late July 1940 by the Fallek printing house, with 1,000 copies. A second run of 10,000 copies was produced by J. Weiner Ltd in November or December 1940, and a third by Harrison & Sons Ltd. The text is framed by English colors: blue on the outside and red on the inside. It contains the same typographical errors as the first print run in the words “servitude” and “peril.” An English translation appears at the bottom left, as this poster was displayed in the streets of London from July 1940.

The print runs produced from autumn 1944 onward, in France and North Africa, are more numerous. The colors of the border are reversed—blue on the inside and red on the outside—and the translation of the text is replaced by the mention “June 18, 1940.” These later versions are the origin of the misnaming of the original poster.

The text of the poster should not be confused with the radio broadcast delivered on June 18, 1940, which was not recorded by the B.B.C., unlike the broadcast of June 22.

80 x 53 mm.