Lot 330
Lot 330
(WORLD WAR I--WOMEN'S WORK)
A mini-archive of 20 World War I-era photographs of British women at work, many of whom are operating heavy machinery or engaged in manual labor.
Silver prints, the images measuring 8½x5½ inches (21.6x14. cm.), and the reverse, each with a typewritten caption affixed to verso, and most with a Ministry of Information and "Passed for Transmission Abroad" hand stamps on verso. Circa 1916
[1,800/2,200]
The devastating loss of life associated with the first World War encouraged the "daughters of Britain" to join the work force. With images of women in munitions and steel factories and tanneries, as well as nurses, bakers, and more.The panorama of photographs also demonstrated the origins of the WWII-era American cultural icon Rosie the Riveter, a symbol of American women laborers.