Is my old NS&I poster worth it? I can’t find a similar one anywhere… DAN HATFIELD responds

I bought a National Savings poster for £50 because I liked the design. The poster features a little mouse, with a larger shadow in the background with the motto: Double your savings.

It has a sort of war poster vibe to it and I will eventually reframe it and mount it in my home office.

The only information I have is what can be seen on the poster: it was printed by a company called Fosh and Cross Ltd.

I’ve searched the depths of the internet for a similar poster, but can’t find it anywhere.

I’m not thinking of selling it, but I was wondering if you could give me a rough estimate of its value. Even if it’s under £50 I don’t care as I love the poster; I think it has character.

Dan Hatfield, This is Money’s resident valuation expert, responds: There’s something delightful about this poster… it seems quintessentially British.

A serious topic, treated with a playful touch. Perhaps it’s our British reluctance to talk about money that inspired designers to take a more light-hearted approach.

A topic considered rude to mention in polite society was made accessible and attractive, and this poster succeeds, and continues to succeed, in that mission.

NS&I (National Savings and Investment) in its earliest form was established in 1861 to help the government manage its deficit.

In 2017, approximately 9 percent of government debt is repaid through NS&I and its various products.

Placing savings in this State-backed institution has proven immensely popular, not least because all deposits are fully guaranteed by HM Treasury.

It is interesting to note that the original purpose of NS&I, in addition to helping the government pay off its debt, was to help the public “provide for itself against adversity and ill health.”

This reflects the context of the 19th century, a time before benefits, universal healthcare and state-funded pensions existed.

Individuals were largely responsible for their own financial security in the event of illness or loss of employment.

Such a scheme would undoubtedly have attracted many and remains attractive today from a purely lucrative point of view.

From the Government’s perspective, NS&I kept the wheels of State turning, and it was during the First and Second World Wars that the institution’s role became even more crucial, playing a major role in financing the war effort.

It was during the First World War that we first saw the emergence of National Savings products, including war bonds.

The Government desperately needed funds to continue financing a war.

Once again, during World War II, the public was encouraged (through posters like the one at hand) to use NS&I to support the war effort. “Lend to defend” became a rallying cry.

Now, to your poster: there is no mention of the war in your design. From this we can deduce that it was not created during the First World War, and the absence of any reference to the Second World War equally suggests that it was not produced during that period either.

Having found numerous NS&I posters at auctions, I must admit that I have never come across this particular design before.

Out of curiosity, I contacted NS&I for clarification and their response was intriguing. He indicated that, after some investigations, he found no record of this poster or a copy in his files.

However, he identified some other posters with the same National Savings flag, dating back to 1949.

Posters from the mid-1950s and 1960s tend to feature more mature themes, such as landscapes and people, rather than whimsical illustrations like the mice in this one.

Based on this, I believe that their poster was probably created between 1950 and 1955. My theory is further supported by the fact that the poster promotes a scheme by which lenders could double their money, a highly publicized selling point in the 1950s and 1960s.

Typically, over a 10-year period, savers could double their investment through accumulated interest.

Valuing an item with so little documented history is complicated. This poster may have been produced in limited quantities.

After reviewing previous auction results, I found no record of a similar item being sold. I am intrigued, perplexed and excited by this discovery; It is quite a challenge to determine its value.

Normally I would estimate that an original NS&I poster similar to this would cost between £40 and £60, about the price you paid.

However, given its rarity, it could do well at a more specialized auction. NS&I memorabilia enthusiasts may be willing to pay a premium for such a rare find, so I would suggest an estimated value closer to £100, or potentially more.

In any case, it’s a fun and vibrant poster that has certainly kept this appraiser scratching his head. Whether you decide to sell it or simply enjoy it, it is a fascinating piece with a rich history.