European Union (EU) Posters Collection

The Collection comprises 162 posters, of various sizes, with a small amount of accompanying printed ephemera. The posters range in date from 1997 to 2015, with one earlier poster from 1972. Most of the posters were created by the European Union (EU) or one of its administrative departments (Directorates General), but some were created by organisations and movements outside the EU.

Selected to give an overview, the posters feature the languages of most European countries, but focus mainly on French, German, Dutch and English. They cover a wide range of political and social issues in a European context, from the environment and immigration to consumer rights and freedom of speech, documenting the visual communication of information, ideas and agenda to audiences across the continent.

The posters, used to convey complex, sometimes fairly abstract, messages to large groups of people, provide a colourful snapshot of a particular moment in European history. As part of an evolving European culture, they present views of a common identity while also evidencing the continuing individuality of European Union member states.

The posters were purchased by the University of Bath Library from a private collector in 2017 with the aim of obtaining a representative sample touching on broad themes of European integration. The purchase was made possible through the support of the Department of Politics, Languages & International Studies (PoLIS) and the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences. From the outset it was intended that the Collection would be used as a teaching and research resource for academic staff and students.

• SECTION A POSTERS CREATED BY NON-EU ORGANISATIONS
• SECTION B INFORMATIONAL POSTERS FOR EU CITIZENS
• SECTION C EU PROMOTIONAL POSTERS

SECTION D POSTERS RELATING TO EU INITIATIVES, PROGRAMMES AND PROJECTS

SECTION A POSTERS CREATED BY NON-EU ORGANISATIONS

This section contains posters and related material created by organisations other than the European Union (EU). These include political parties, protest groups, educational and research foundations, activist movements, and charitable bodies. Some of the organisations are entirely independent of the EU, while others are in receipt of EU funding.

The posters cover a broad range of subject matter from human rights and EU governance to refugees and climate control. Some of them are associated with a particular event, such as a protest demonstration or an election, while others have been designed to convey a more general political, social or cultural message.

SECTION B INFORMATIONAL POSTERS FOR EU CITIZENS

This section contains posters and related material created by various European Union (EU) departments and organisations with the aim of disseminating information to EU citizens. Topics include consumer protection, employment opportunities, the EU social charter, European elections and balloting, EU publications and statistical resources, healthcare entitlement and citizens' rights.

SECTION C EU PROMOTIONAL POSTERS

This section contains posters and related material published by the European Union (EU) to communicate information and ideas about the Union's purpose, scope, vision, operation, and history. The posters cover themes of unity, shared heritage and culture, diversity, and common aims and achievements. They include several promotional posters relating to various instances of Europe Day (9 May) over the years.

SECTION D POSTERS RELATING TO EU INITIATIVES, PROGRAMMES AND PROJECTS

This section contains posters and related material designed to promote EU programmes, initiatives, and projects. They range from the specific to the overarching, covering topics including language learning and linguistic diversity, emergency responses to environmental disasters, higher education and cultural exchange, healthy living, climate control, the BepiColombo space mission to Mercury, organic farming, poverty, and sustainable transport.

NOT ALL THE MATERIAL IN THIS COLLECTION MAY YET BE AVAILABLE FOR CONSULTATION. ENQUIRIES SHOULD BE ADDRESSED IN THE FIRST INSTANCE TO:

THE ARCHIVIST
LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF BATH
CLAVERTON DOWN
BATH
BA2 7AY

The posters were purchased by the University of Bath Library from a private collector in 2017. The purchase was made possible through the support of the Department of Politics, Languages & International Studies (PoLIS) and the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences.

An illustrated pdf catalogue is located on the webpage of via the University of Bath Archives and Research Collections.

The items are stored flat in a plan chest drawer. Sizes range from A1 to postcard format. They are available for consultation in the search room of the University of Bath Archives and Research Collections.

ENQUIRIES SHOULD BE ADDRESSED IN THE FIRST INSTANCE TO:
THE ARCHIVIST
LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF BATH
CLAVERTON DOWN
BATH
BA2 7AY

We are very grateful to Dr Nina Parish, Dr Nick Startin and Mr Thomas Hill for their assistance in making this material available.

ENQUIRIES SHOULD BE ADDRESSED IN THE FIRST INSTANCE TO:

THE ARCHIVIST
LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF BATH
CLAVERTON DOWN
BATH BA2 7AY

It was intended that the Collection would be used as a teaching and research resource for academic staff and students. They were selected to give an overview, and so cover a wide range of political and social issues in a European context.

Subject to funds or donations.