It has been impossible to miss the frenzy that the ‘Keep Calm’ series has become.
From the original version, I have come across a variety of adaptations such as ‘Keep Calm & Do Some Cardio’, ‘Keep Calm & Fake a British Accent’, ‘Keep Calm & Conjure a Patronus Charm’ to the absolutely eccentric ‘Keep Calm & Be A Marwari’ !
All my time in London, I saw impressions of the message everywhere – in the Underground, Souvenir shops, T-shirts and Teacups. Made me all the more inquisitive to understand where this had originated. Only yesterday, I actually found out and what a brilliant story it was:
Essentially, “Keep Calm and Carry On” was a propaganda poster issued by the British government during World War II. Keeping in line with the previous two posters “Freedom Is In Peril. Defend It With All Your Might” and “Your Courage, Your Cheerfulness, Your Resolution Will Bring Us Victory” – “Keep Calm..” was intended to be distributed in public places to strengthen morale in the event of wartime emergency – but never was released. It featured the so-called ‘handsome’ font and the crown of King George VI, making the poster quintessentially British.
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| The original posters which were in circulation during World War II |
This poster was rediscovered in 2000 by Stuart Manley, owner of Barter Books in Alnwick, England. Barter Books has been created out of what used to be an old Victorian Railway station – huge rows of stacked shelves now contain books where the tracks used to be, the old waiting rooms are now reading rooms – the entire place has such a quaint, English countryside feeling to it.
Manley and his wife found the poster folded at the bottom of a box of old books they purchased at an auction. They framed it, putting it up in their shop where it became rather popular with their customers. In 2001, they began printing and selling facsimiles of the original poster. By March 2009, they had sold over 40,000 copies. The popularity has been so evident that the text of the poster has its own website dedicated to collection, curating and creating newer versions!
It is indeed hard to understand why a phrase from a bygone decade has seen so much of appeal and resonance now; it must be the words on the poster that people find most enchanting.
Like a voice out of history, it offers a simple and warm-hearted message to inspire confidence in others during difficult times – something that should never fade from fashion.
To Keep Calm & Carry On.
