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'PA' is the prefix for a series of four Prints by Feliks Topolski , published in 1940 and 1941. Topolski (1907-89), was a distinguished Polish artist, who settled in London in 1935 and later became an official war artist. The first print PA1 was published in June 1940. A portrait of Churchill, entitled Winston Churchill: 'We shall never surrender...'. The final print was issued in March 1941.

His work was greatly admired by Bernard Shaw, who said that he was "the greatest impressionist in black and white" and he was asked to illustrate the book of the film version of Shaw's play Pygmalion, published as No. 300. Topolski provided over 100 vignettes. He was also the illustrator for Penguin's 25th Anniversay publication of Q25 Penguins Progress, providing the range of sketches on pages 67 - 87.

The 'PA' series below are examples of his rarest work with Penguin Books. Four Topolski prints were produced by Penguin. The prints were coloured and the paper size was 16" x 11". Each was priced at sixpence and they were published with the aim of "supporting the morale of the nation". The prints were a limited edition - 25,000 copies were produced of the more popular Winston Churchill portrait, and 10,000 each of the three others.

Information and photographs of The Topolski Penguin Prints Series:

Number: PA1	Series No.: PA1 Title: WINSTON CHURCHILL: 'We shall never surrender...' Artist: Feliks Topolski Date Published: June 1940 Print: 25,000 copies. 16" x 11". Coloured in blue, pink and black Printer: Lithographed in England by W. S.Cowell Ltd of Ipswich Price: 6d. 'Penguin Print No. 1, of which 25,000 copies have been lithographed and the plates destroyed.' Winston Churchill in his bulldog stance, quoting his immortal words "...we shall fight on the seas and oceans ... we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, in the fields, in the streets and in the hills. We shall never surrender..."
Number: PA2	Series No.: PA2 Title: 'DOLF HITLER GIF A BARTY Artist: Feliks Topolski Text: by Timothy Shy Date Published: December 1940 Print: 10,000 copies. 16" x 11". Coloured in blue, pink and black Printer: Lithographed in England at the Baynard Press, London Price: 6d. 'Penguin Print No. 2, of which 10,000 copies have been lithographed and the plates destroyed.' Caricature of Hitler and his Generals, with Goering, Himmler, Goebbels and Hess
Number: PA3	Series No.: PA3 Title: WINSTON CHURCHILL: '...SLEEP TO GATHER STRENGTH FOR THE MORNING' (SLEEPING AIR RAID WARDEN) Artist: Feliks Topolski Date Published: December 1940 Print: 10,000 copies. 16" x 11". Coloured in brown and black Printer: Lithographed in England at the Baynard Press, London Price: 6d. 'Penguin Print No. 3, of which 10,000 copies have been lithographed and the plates destroyed.' Winston Churchill quotation (20.10.40) "...Sleep to gather strength for the morning..."
Number: PA4	Series No.: PA4 Title: FOR DENISE WHO PROPOSES TO PAINT HER LEGS [Enter a Scots Guards Officer in his "Blue"] Artist: Feliks Topolski Text: by James Laver Date Published: March 1941 Print: 10,000 copies. 16" x 11". Coloured in pale blue, red and black Printer: Lithographed in England at the Baynard Press, London Price: 6d. 'Penguin Print No. 4, of which 10,000 copies have been lithographed and the plates destroyed.'

With grateful thanks to the University of Edinburgh Library Centre for Research Collections for allowing photography of the 4 prints in their collection, acquired under the direction of Sally Woods.

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