A friend of ours heard we were having a busy couple of weeks preparing the new issue and stopped by with a basket of goodies from UK-based accessories company, Keep Calm and Carry On. The company takes its name from a propaganda campaign launched by the British government in 1939, to prepare citizens for the onset of war with Germany. The simple but effective poster created for the campaign featured only the words “Keep Calm and Carry On” and the crown of King George VI, symbolizing the monarch’s commitment to protecting his country. While a few posters were plastered around London, the Ministry of Information decided against the campaign shortly after it launched. It was relatively unknown until a copy of the poster turned up some 50 years later in a pile of old books bought at an auction.

Now, the company is hoping to capitalize on both British patriotism and the campaign’s globally-applicable message with a reproduction of the original “Keep Calm and Carry On” poster produced by the Ministry of Information. It has been screen-printed by hand on high quality, heavy duty paper with a matte finish. Other items stamped with the crown logo and slogan include notebooks, mugs, T-shirts and even boxed chocolates. A little bit of overkill? Perhaps. But who are we to beat down a good idea? We’ll just enjoy the products, take the company’s slogan to heart and carry on… To find out more about the company, its history and its line of products, go to www.keepcalmandcarryon.com. Select items ship internationally.

- TC