March 30, 2024

The World of Churchill Collectables

By BRIAN KRAPF

The sepia transfer image of Prime Minister Winston Churchill on the front of this porcelain beaker is the standard image used on a large variety of wartime British utility ware. Utility ware is the descriptive term given to the plain white porcelain items made during the war for practical, everyday use. These include ashtrays, beakers, bowls, mugs, cream pitchers, and other pieces used daily in the kitchen or on the dining table. While collectible, utility ware was made in large quantities and is readily found in the stalls of antiques fairs and arcades.

The beaker shown here is a wonderfully deceptive piece of history. At first look, it appears to be a relatively common piece of utility ware. The back side, however, includes the now famous Churchill quote, “Give us the tools and we will finish the job.” It is very unusual for a piece of utility ware to include an additional transfer image. This one is particularly special because it directly ties the beaker into Churchill’s appeal to the United States for wartime Lend-Lease aid.

Under Lend-Lease, the President proposed that the United States lend, rather than sell, military supplies to the United Kingdom for use in the war against Germany. Roosevelt’s plan ran into strong opposition amongst the isolationist members of Congress. On 29 December 1940, during one of his iconic “fireside chats,” the President declared, “We must be the great arsenal of democracy….” On 9 February 1941, Churchill delivered his own broadcast in which he provided a report on the progress of the war before ending with the ringing appeal to the United State cited on this mug.

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“Give us the tools” became a popular rallying call amongst the British public. It was printed on a variety of items, including this beaker, to support Churchill’s appeal for the necessary assistance Lend Lease would provide. One month after Churchill’s speech, Congress passed the Lend-Lease Act, and the President signed it into law on 11 March. Roosevelt quickly ordered large quantities of American food and war materials to be shipped to Britain.

Brian Krapf’s forthcoming book A Churchill Treasury: Sir Winston’s Public Service through Memorabilia will be published on March 30 in the UK and June 30 in the US.