Original, and rare, Second World War pictorial poster map, Union of South Africa. Her Natural and Industrial Resources, published by the British Ministry of Information in about 1944.

The map features illustrations of South Africa’s agricultural and industrial output, depicted within a decorative border. At the base, a description declares: South Africa to-day is an arsenal and repair base for the Armies of the United Nations. Known originally as an agricultural and pastoral country and as a producer of gold and diamonds, the Union has so accelerated her industrial production that in four years of war it has reached a figure that could not have been attained in peace time in less than 25 years. The industries which have developed under the stress of war will form the basis of peace time manufacture when hostilities have ceased.

The poster was produced as part of the British government’s propaganda campaign to illustrate how the ‘Empire’ was supporting the war effort in a shared, global, endeavour.

[NB: a later version of this poster was published after the war, with altered text].

A higher resolution image is available for viewing on request.