Bidspirit auction | ”Before the leaves fall? –

”Before the leaves fall? – They've already fallen” – Two Italian and French propaganda leaflets mocking Churchill - Two leaflets mocking Winston Churchill and his confidence regarding a swift Allied victory on various fronts. France and Italy, C. 1942. Double-sided poster mocking Churchill and his promises of France's liberation from Nazi occupation. Issued by supporters of the Vichy government in France, C. 1942. On the front, Churchill is shown speaking into a BBC microphone, declaring: ”...Avant que ne tombent les feuilles... Churchill avait promis la 'libération'” – ”...Before the leaves fall... Churchill had promised the 'liberation'”. Below, a street cleaner responds: ”...Et les feuilles sont tombées!” – ”And the leaves have fallen!”. On the reverse, Churchill is shown entirely buried in fallen leaves – a visual metaphor suggesting that his promise failed and he was ”swallowed” by the autumn. 16x12 cm. Minor tears along the lower edges. Good condition. IL TESTAMENTO SPIRITUALE di W. Churchill – “The Spiritual Testament of Winston Churchill” . A leaflet mocking Churchill and presenting his so-called ”spiritual testament” – a satirical rhymed poem intended to portray his failures on the international stage (in Italian). Published between 1942–1943, at a time when the Axis powers (Germany–Italy) still felt relatively confident, and before the evident retreat of Germany and its allies had begun. The Spiritual Testament of W. Churchill I bequeath to Germany what is required – that which I robbed from her, and never returned. I bequeath to Italy, amid all my ruin, the sea over which I deluded myself into thinking I was king. I bequeath to France, partner in crime and pact, the defeat she has already suffered. I bequeath to the nations I claimed to defend all the blows – sacred and blessed. I bequeath the fleet to whoever wishes to take it, but beware – it lies at the bottom of the sea. And to the English, with my final blessing, I had wished to bequeath honor – but I have lost it. W. Churchill 15x12 cm. Very good condition.