The Empire Marketing Board was formed in May 1926 by the Colonial Secretary Leo Amery to promote inter-Empire trade and to persuade consumers to ‘Buy Empire’.
The EMB had three principal aims: to support scientific research, promotion of economic analysis, and publicity for Empire trade. Scientific research took up a large proportion of the EMB’s work and budget. It also had its own EMB film unit led by John Grierson, often considered the father of modern documentary film, which produced around 100 films with such names as ‘Solid Sunshine’ (which promoted New Zealand butter), ‘Song of Ceylon’, ‘Wheatfields of the Empire’, ‘Industrial Britain’ and ‘One Family’.
Colonial governments were reluctant to join the EMB, however. The EMB was ended September 1933 as a result of government cuts and the introduction of Imperial Preference.
Poster designed by Edward Barnard Lintott.
By William D. Suddaby c.1929
Southern Rhodesian Tobacco, advert for the Empire Marketing Board illustrated by John Nash, 1929
Empire Marketing Board poster 1926-1933
East African Transport Adrian Allinson, 1931
Housekeeping on £1000-a-minute Empire Marketing-Board Edward McKnight Kauffer, 1930.
‘Making the Empire Christmas pudding’, artwork by F C Harrison c.1930.
Charles Pears in 1931 for the Empire Marketing Board
Empire Marketing Board poster c.1930 Margaret Clarke
Prosperity from the Empire c.1930.
Motor Manufacturing Clive Gardiner c.1930.
A Blast Furnace Clive Gardiner c.1930
Making Electrical Machinery Clive Gardiner c.1930
Our Share (in black) of Total Imports Mann 1930
Buy From Home c. 1930 Frank Newbould
Shipping Lanes Between Empire Countries D.M. Batty c.1930.
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