As personifications of their respective nations, Uncle Sam and John Bull became popular during the nineteenth century. John Bull originated earlier, as a character in John Arbuthnot’s ‘The History of John Bull’ (1712). He became widely known from cartoons by Sir John Tenniel, published in the British humour magazine ‘Punch’ during the middle and late nineteenth century. In those cartoons, he was portrayed as an honest, solid, farmer figure, often in a Union Jack waistcoat and accompanied by a bulldog. He became so familiar that his name frequently appeared in books, plays, periodical titles, and as a brand name or trade mark - one being ODC. Although frequently used through World War II, since the 1950’s, John Bull has been seen less often (not by us though). 

Uncle Sam originated in popular culture. His origins are disputed, but the name is usually associated with Sam Wilson, a businessman who supplied the army during the War of 1812. His barrels were stamped “U.S.” for the government, leading him to be nicknamed “Uncle Sam”. The symbolic Uncle Sam’s appearance evolved from that of Brother Jonathan, the most common earlier symbol for the United States. The two characters were used interchangeably from the 1830’s through the 1860’s. 

As with John Bull, the cartoonist of ‘Punch’ helped develop the figure, showing him as a lean, whiskered man wearing a top hat and striped pants. The famous American cartoonist Thomas Nast crystallised the image with his cartoons beginning in the 1870’s. By 1917, when James Montgomery Flagg depicted him on the famous World War I recruiting poster, Uncle Sam was an icon, readily recognised around the globe. He was officially adopted as the national symbol of the United States in 1920. John Bull and Uncle Sam have often been depicted interacting as friends or antagonists and thus their names were selected as appropriate symbols for an exhibition. This introductory section provides a small sampling of images of the two characters from the last hundred years. Of course.

This Bullnose features the front cover of the magazine “John Bull” from the sixties.

MORE INFORMATION My Grandfather Hugh Alexsander Cargill was the advertising manager for John Bull during the early 1900's
just thought you might like a bit of trivia.
My Grandfather also did the advert for sharps Toffees a little man with a monacle.
Best wishes Joy