Object Category: Archive

 

Object Type: Postcard

 

Object Name: RNLI Postcard

 

Service Category: Rescue

 

Accession: SHENE.2022.23

 

Visual Description: Postcard with a reproduction of a seascape painting on the obverse side; a lifeboat in sail, crew wearing lifejackets, and rescued passengers with a ship in the background. The reverse is affixed by a red one-penny postage stamp (featuring George V), a postmark stating ‘Buy National War Bonds’, and a handwritten message in black ink.

 

Abstract: Produced for the RNLI by Raphael Tuck & Sons, this postcard features a painting entitled ‘Saved’ by Bernard Gribble. The card was used and posted on 10th September 1918. The handwritten message is largely illegible and partly obscures the postcard’s printed caption which, in its entirety, read: ‘Mr Gribble’s fine picture ‘Saved’ gives a good idea of the national and heroic work in which the Life-Boat service is constantly engaged, day and night, winter and summer, in peace and in war. Over 54,000 lives saved. The institution receives no subsidy from the state. The Life-Boat Service is the Red Cross of the Sea’.  The painter, Bernard Gribble (1872-1962), was a British artist and illustrator who specialised in marine subjects.

 

Service context: RNLI

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Established in 1824 the Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the UK’s largest lifeboat service. It is a charity with lifeboats staffed largely by volunteers. The RNLI operates under the statutory primacy of HM Coastguard who direct all lifesaving operations at sea, and summon the RNLI following a 999 or Mayday call.  

 

Object Date: 1918

 

Museum Collection: Core Collection

 

Object Collection:  SFPM Collection

 

Source Category: Donation

 

Location: In Store