Advertisements
Poppy seeds for remembrance
John McCrae's poem "In Flanders Fields" was among the most widely reproduced Canadian poems of the twentieth century. A lack of copyright protection meant that it could be freely used for almost any purpose, as in this sheet that accompanied a packet of poppy seeds.
In Flanders Fields
John McCrae's poem "In Flanders Fields" appeared in many advertisements during and after the First World War - but was it in poor taste for it to be used by a maker of surgical dressings?
Loose lips sink ships
In this mini-poster, a Canadian seaman urges people to keep quiet - inadvertently revealing sensitive military information might lead to the sinking of his ship.
Buy Canadian
This decal, probably intended to be affixed in a store window, reminded consumers that buying Canadian goods supported local workers and helped shore up the currency at the same time.
Shopping for uniform hats
One of the unintended consequences of war was a steep rise in demand for military uniforms, hats, badges, and other paraphernalia, demand that manufacturers were happy to meet.
The walls have ears
This advertisement encouraged Canadians to be particularly careful about what they said in hotels, for it was always possible that an enemy agent might be listening.
Rumour - Kill It!
This advertisement, which was produced in many different formats during the Second World War, urged Canadians to take a hard line against rumour-mongering.
The war in 1942 - from Maple Leaf Anti-Freeze
This folder, distributed by the company's Montreal headquarters, combined an advertisement for anti-freeze, consumer tips, advice on helping the war effort, and an informative war map.
Vote Liberal and win the war
Helen Smith and John Forester had won the British Columbia riding of Vancouver-Burrard for the Liberals in 1937 but in the 1941 provincial election, not even patriotic rhetoric could help them. The pair finished third, behind candidates from the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation and the Conservatives.
Pork at war
This advertisement used a modern version of the old nursery rhyme to show that 80% of Canadian pork production went overseas, to feed British civilians and Allied troops in Europe.
Letters from the front
There was a strong demand for soldiers' writings during the First World War. This collection of letters by "A whole-hearted, manly boy" to his family in Fort William, Ontario, was one of the more popular such books.
Advertising tires and rubber
This manufacturer of tires, tubes, belts, hoses, and boots had published a similar advertising book during the First World War, and used the same format in this updated version.
Armistice Food Products
The advertising decal not only celebrated the armistice that ended the First World War, but also the unity of the Allied nations in a common cause.
Buy British goods
To ease the strain on Canada's currency, Canadians during the Second World War were urged to buy British goods, rather than American, whenever possible.
Tires rolling to victory
This Sarnia, Ontario, automobile dealership used in its advertising a painting by Ted McCormick "symbolizing unity between industry and war services."
Advertisement for Victory Special
A Second World War advertisement for a patriotic picture frame, aimed at the families of men and women in uniform, probably from 1945.
Have your soldier or sailor photographed
A First World War advertisement for a Toronto photography studio, aimed at the families of men and women in uniform.
Marshal Foch sells insurance!
This picture of Supreme Allied Commander Ferdinand Foch was used to advertise the London Life Insurance Company during the First World War.