Discover our hand framed Herbert Samuel Thomas art prints and posters. All prints are lovingly framed to order by our experts right here in the UK workshop.
Bert Thomas, born on 13 October 1883 in Newport, Monmouthshire, was the youngest of seven surviving children. His father, Job Thomas, a well known sculptor, and his mother Mary (formerly Comley) raised him. One of his older brothers, Ivor, also pursued sculpting. At a young age, Thomas relocated with his family to Swansea. Tragically, both his parents passed away when he was just eight years old. He was then raised by relatives while simultaneously embarking on a metal-engraver apprenticeship at 14. Concurrently, he sold cartoons to local publications like the Swansea Daily Leader, Daily Post, News, and Echo. His talent caught the attention of Albert Chevalier, a popular music-hall performer, who commissioned Thomas to create a poster. Thomas also contributed drawings to The Strand Magazine. Although he is primarily recognized for his war-themed cartoons, Thomas displayed a diverse range of subjects and technical skills throughout his career. In 1905, he joined Punch and remained a contributor until 1935. During World War I, Thomas served in the Artists Rifles. By 1913, his political cartoons gained recognition as artistic caricatures and were exhibited at the Society of Humorous Art's show on the Strand. Notably, in 1916, his cartoon depicting the Kaiser conversing with a striking worker titled "Pass Friend" was featured at a war cartoon exhibition in the Graves Galleries on Pall Mall. In 1918, Thomas achieved nationwide acclaim for his ten-minute cartoon "Arf a mo, Kaiser," created for the Smokes for Tommy Weekly Dispatch campaign. The cartoon raised substantial funds, almost a quarter of a million pounds, for tobacco and cigarette supplies to front-line troops. During World War II, the image was redrawn and utilized with the caption "Arf a mo, 'itler." The Germans banned this version, prompting Thomas to produce an alternative with the phrase "Are we downhearted?" to ensure British prisoners could receive their comfort parcels without confiscation. For his contributions, Thomas was awarded the MBE in the 1918 Birthday Honours.
