Classic 2012 poster

In 1943 the front cover of the Co-operative Wholesale Society’s magazine, The Wheatsheaf, featured the striking image overleaf. Published during wartime Britain, at a time when co-operation and working together kept Britain alive, this was an iconic image of the co-operative movement.

Today, in the wake of a financial crisis, co-operatives are enjoying a renaissance as they once again give a helping hand to civilisation, playing a key role in building a better world by giving people an equal say and a share in wealth created.

For the International Year of Co-operatives, Co-operatives UK commissioned Tom Humberstone, an award winning artist, to recreate this iconic image.

With thanks to the National Co-operative Archive for the original and The Co-operative Group for the permission to reproduce it.