---
title: What to Do (rag bag salvage)
url: https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/uk-what-to-do-rag-bag-salvage-1939/
description: 'A stylised woman in a blue blouse and black skirt holds a rag bag and a scrap of cloth beside a three-step list: put bits and pieces in a rag bag.'
section: Collection
---

1. [Home](https://propagandaarchive.org/)
2. [Collection](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/)
3. What to Do (rag bag salvage)

[![What to Do, 1939 UK poster: A stylised woman in a blue blouse and black skirt holds a rag bag and a scrap of cloth beside](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/uk-what-to-do-rag-bag-salvage-1939.jpg)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/uk-what-to-do-rag-bag-salvage-1939.jpg)

# What to Do (rag bag salvage)

A stylised woman in a blue blouse and black skirt holds a rag bag and a scrap of cloth beside a three-step list: put bits and pieces in a rag bag, keep them dry, keep them separate from other salvage. The tell is the ordinary housewife as the model citizen; the poster gives instructions and makes no argument.

## Propaganda techniques used in this poster

[Plain folks](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/plain-folks/)

## Text on the object

Original (English) · read from the image, not independently checked

```
What to do —

PUT YOUR BITS AND PIECES IN A RAG BAG
KEEP THEM DRY
KEEP THEM SEPARATE FROM OTHER SALVAGE

PRINTED FOR H.M. STATIONERY OFFICE BY LOWE & BRYDONE PRINTERS LTD., LONDON, N.W.10. 51-2488
```

[← What is Wanted from You](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/uk-what-is-wanted-from-you-1939/) [Where to Look →](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/uk-where-to-look-1939/)

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- [Trois Tetes sous l'meme bonnet (three heads under the same cap)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/trois-tetes-sous-le-meme-bonnet-1789/) (France · 1789 · Plain folks, Glittering generalities)
- ['This log cabin was the first building erected on the North Bend', Whig print by T. Sinclair, 1840](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/harrison-north-bend-log-cabin-sinclair-1840/) (United States · 1840 · Plain folks, Transfer)
- [Treeing Coons (pro-Polk cartoon), 1844](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/treeing-coons-polk-1844/) (United States · 1844 · Name-calling, Plain folks)
- [Zachary Taylor, People's Candidate for President (Currier banner), 1848](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/taylor-fillmore-peoples-candidate-1848/) (United States · 1848 · Plain folks, Glittering generalities)
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- [The working-man's banner. For President, Ulysses S. Grant, 'The Galena Tanner.' For Vice-President, Henry Wilson, 'The Natick Shoemaker.'](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/working-mans-banner-grant-1872/) (United States · 1872 · Plain folks, Transfer)
- [The Chappaqua farmer](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/chappaqua-farmer-1872/) (United States · Jul 1872 · Plain folks, Glittering generalities)