Genuine & Original Wanted for Sabotage – The Squander Bug WW2 Home Front Poster

Rare and authentic vintage World War Two British public information poster issued by the National Savings Committee, London and printed for H.M. Stationery Office by Stafford and Co Ltd, Netherfield, Nottingham.

The Squander Bug character was created during the Second World War by artist Phillip Boydell who was an employee of the National Savings Committee. The Committee raised funds by urging the public to save their own money and invest it in the war effort.

The cartoon bug appeared in press adverts and poster campaigns as a menace who encouraged shoppers to waste money rather than buy war savings certificates.

The campaign was extremely popular and the cartoon was adapted for use in other countries, including Australia and New Zealand. The American children’s author Dr Seuss created his own version of the Squander Bug for use in war savings campaigns in the United States.