THE FRONT

by Richard Taylor

Editions Edition Size US($) QTY
Great war edition 35 Limited Availability Contact Us
Artist proofs 5 Limited Availability Contact Us
Remarques 15 Limited Availability Contact Us
Double remarques 10 Limited Availability Contact Us
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COMMEMORATING THE GREAT WAR 1914 – 1918

In the early hours of Thursday 21 March 1918 a thunderous barrage shook the Western Front. In the space of just five hours a million artillery shells – over 3000 every minute – detonated amidst the lines held by an exhausted and overstretched British Fifth Army which, by the Spring of 1918, had found itself in a gruesome stalemate with its enemy. Although well used to the horrors and degradation of battle, those in the trenches were stunned by the savagery of the German attack as chlorine and mustard gas blew through the British ranks.

For weeks they’d listened to the distant rumble of an army massing and when the heavy guns finally fell silent, the attack they had been expecting came. Thousands of elite German Stormtroopers, many of them battle-hardened veterans of the Eastern Front, swept across No Man’s Land and through the British front lines.

With the war against Russia over, more than half a million German troops had been released and General Erich Ludendorff, the German commander, intended to use them to maximum effect on Western Front. He had planned a swift and colossal offensive that would crush the Allies once and for all. His plan almost worked.

The British lines initially broke under the weight of the attack but, after weeks of intense fighting up and down the front, the German push was halted. Facing increasingly stiff resistance, German casualties mounted as the British dug in and fought back – heroically. During the Spring Offensive no less than fifty-seven Allied soldiers were awarded the Victoria Cross.

It was now the Germans who suffered; they had over-stretched themselves, advancing too far, too fast and between March and July 1918 had lost more than a million men. With fresh American divisions now pouring into France, the tables were turned and Ludendorff’s great gamble had failed. The German army was finally defeated.

By the autumn, with its army in full retreat, Germany sued for peace. An armistice was signed and, at 11.00am on Friday 11 November 1918, the guns on the Western Front finally fell silent.

Renowned artist Richard Taylor, internationally acclaimed for his astonishing pencil work, has created The Front to commemorate the millions who fought during World War I. His moving portrayal of a shattered infantry taking full advantage of a brief lull during the heavy fighting of April 1918 is exceptional in its attention to detail, as he contrasts the drab, beleaguered position with the colourful markings on a pair of Sopwith Camels from 9 Squadron RFC overhead, scouting for enemy activity.

A unique and exclusively limited edition unlike any other!

To honour all those who fought in the trenches during The Great War, the Military Gallery offer a truly unique edition, the likes of which has never been produced in over 40 years of publishing.

Each copy of The Front is conservation matted to include an ORIGINAL set of WWI Campaign Medals – The 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal – which have been sourced and collected over a number of years. Each group of medals was actually issued to a member of the British Army and have the recipient’s Service, Rank, Name and Number impressed on them. These medals became affectionately known as ‘Pip, Squeak and Wilfred’ after a long running cartoon featured in the Daily Mirror newspaper from 1919-1956. 

Fully certified and authenticated with their history, no two medal groups are alike meaning each print in this extraordinary edition is completely unique and cannot be replicated. With the service record of the recipient included with each set of medals, collectors can further research their history.

THE BOOK - OPEN COCKPIT

by Arthur Gould Lee

Each matted print is issued with a matching-numbered copy of this outstanding book, written by WWI fighter Ace and celebrated author Arthur Gould Lee, presented in its own luxury, hand-crafted presentation box. It is a gripping first-hand account of what life was like flying and fighting during The Great War, described in such detail that only an experienced combat pilot can. Flying Sopwith Camels with the Royal Flying Corps, Lee completed 118 patrols over the front line, was engaged in combat 56 times and scored seven confirmed victories. He retired from the RAF in 1946 as an Air  Vice-Marshal.

Each portfolio is accompanied by an individually printed Certificate of Authenticity which is unique to each set.

The Remarques

Regarded as one of the most gifted exponents of pencil work in the industry, Richard Taylor will hand-craft an original drawing in the lower margin of each print to create a unique collectors piece. If you have any particular requests, please ask when placing your order and we will do our best to accommodate.

THE SILVER WAR BADGE – ISSUED EXCLUSIVELY WITH THE DOUBLE REMARQUES

‘For King and Empire; Services Rendered’

Included with these medal groups is the recipient's ORIGINAL WWI Silver War Badge, which was issued only to service personnel who were honourably discharged due to wounds or sickness. Each badge is individually numbered on the reverse which corresponds to the recipients’ details on the War Office register in the National Archives.


Overall print size: 16 ¼” wide x 17 ½” high
Matted size approx: 18 ¾” wide x 25” high

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the unique nature of this edition, each matted piece is bespoke and sizes may vary. Our normal delivery policies don't apply and they may incur slightly longer delivery times due to the extreme care taken in packing them.

Media:
Lithograph and book set
Release Date:
9/2017

Editions that feature original and unique artwork, such as Remarque, Tribute and matted editions, are specifically hand-crafted to order. As a result, our normal delivery policies do not apply to these items but we’ll be sure to update you as soon as your drawing is complete. If you have any particular request for your remarque drawing – such as specific aircraft markings – please ask when placing your order and we will do our best to accommodate.

Framing Service available on this item

Interested in having this item framed? Our expert team are on hand to review your bespoke requirements. Simply tick the framing box at the checkout and we’ll contact you to discuss the best framing choices for your piece plus delivery options. For further information about our framing service click here.