THE FRONT - A BOOK & PRINT PORTFOLIO by Richard Taylor

A UNIQUE AND EXCLUSIVELY LIMITED EDITION UNLIKE ANY OTHER

In the early hours of Thursday 21 March 1918 a thunderous barrage shook the Western Front. In the space of just five hours a million artillery shells – over 3000 every minute – detonated amidst the lines held by an exhausted and overstretched British Fifth Army which, by the Spring of 1918, had found itself in a gruesome stalemate with its enemy. Although well used to the horrors and degradation of battle, those in the trenches were stunned by the savagery of the German attack as chlorine and mustard gas blew through the British ranks.

With the war against Russia over, more than half a million German troops had been released and General Erich Ludendorff, the German commander, intended to use them to maximum effect on Western Front. He had planned a swift and colossal offensive to crush the Allies once and for all.

The British lines initially broke under the weight of the attack but, after weeks of intense fighting the German push was halted. Facing increasingly stiff resistance, German casualties mounted as the British dug in and fought back - heroically. During the Spring Offensive no less than fifty-seven Allied soldiers were awarded the Victoria Cross.

It was now the Germans who suffered and between March and July 1918 they lost more than a million men. With fresh American divisions now pouring into France Ludendorff’s great gamble had failed and the German army was finally defeated. By the autumn, with its army in full retreat, Germany sued for peace. An armistice was signed and, at 11.00am on Friday 11 November 1918, the guns on the Western Front finally fell silent.

Internationally acclaimed for his astonishing pencil work, Richard Taylor has created a tribute to the millions who fought during World War I. This moving portrayal of a shattered infantry taking advantage of a brief lull during the heavy fighting is exceptional in its attention to detail, contrasting the drab, beleaguered position with the colourful markings on a pair of Sopwith Camels from 9 Sqn RFC scouting overhead.

In tribute to all those who fought in the trenches during the Great War, each copy of The Front is conservation matted to include an ORIGINAL set of WWI Campaign Medals – The 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal – which have taken years to source and collect. Each medal group has actually been issued to a member of the British Army and are engraved with the recipient's Service, Rank, Name and Number.

Fully certified and authenticated no two medal groups are alike meaning each print is completely unique and cannot be replicated. With the service record of the recipient included collectors can further research their history.

THE GREAT WAR EDITION US $695.00 UK £495.00 Edition Size - 35	Sold Out
THE ARTIST PROOFS US $795.00 UK £595.00 Edition Size - 5	Sold Out
THE REMARQUES US $995.00 UK £750.00 Edition Size - 15	Sold Out
THE DOUBLE REMARQUES (subject to availability) US $1395.00 UK £995.00 Edition Size - 10	Sold Out