A Scent Evanescent by Wilmot Lunt - petrol shortages, WW1

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A Scent Evanescent by Wilmot Lunt - petrol shortages, WW1

CHEMIST: " That, madame, is petrol - our dearest and rarest perfume." Cartoon in The Bystander commenting on the extortionate cost of petrol as it became increasingly scarce on the home front during the First World War. Date: 1917

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Media ID 14171364

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

Bystander Chemist Cost Expense Expensive Joke Lunt Perfume Petrol Power Scarce Scent Shortage Shortages Wilmot Evanescent

EDITORS COMMENTS
by Wilmot Lunt: A Whiff of Humor Amidst the Pungent Reality of Petrol Shortages during World War I Amidst the tumultuous backdrop of the First World War, the home front was not immune to the far-reaching effects of the conflict. One such impact was the scarcity and exorbitant cost of petrol, a precious resource that fueled both military vehicles and civilian transportation. In this satirical cartoon from The Bystander, published in 1917, Wilmot Lunt masterfully captures the absurdity of the situation through a clever play on words and the use of humor. The scene unfolds in a quaint, old-fashioned chemist shop. A woman, her eyes wide with disbelief, stands before the counter, her hand clutching a small vial. The chemist, with a knowing smile, presents a bottle labeled "Petrol - Our Dearest and Rarest Perfume." The woman's shocked expression is a testament to the extreme lengths people were forced to go to secure this precious commodity. The cartoon's title, "A Scent Evanescent," adds an additional layer of meaning. "Evanescent" means fleeting or transient, a fitting description for the ephemeral nature of petrol during this time. The humor in the cartoon serves as a poignant reminder of the hardships endured by civilians during the war, as they grappled with the realities of scarcity and expense. As we gaze upon this historical image, we are transported back in time, offering us a glimpse into the challenges faced by those living through the tumultuous events of World War I. The cartoon's enduring appeal lies in its ability to encapsulate the human spirit's resilience and ability to find humor in even the most trying of circumstances.

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