On December 15, 1969, John Lennon and Yoko Ono began the next stage of their campaign for peace. Huge posters and billboards bearing the slogan “War is Over! If You Want It.” appeared in 12 major cities around the world. Thousands of handbills and posters were printed to be posted around the cities and handed out to pedestrians. The ad also appeared in numerous publications around the globe.

This handbill (above) was made during this period, signed by Yoko Ono and kept by Ritchie Yorke as a part of his collection.

Ritchie Yorke was involved in this peace campaign as an ambassador, helping Lennon and Ono plan and organise some of the key moments such as the meeting with Canadian PM Pierre Trudeau. His position as ambassador led to him travelling the world alongside Ronnie Hawkins in 1970 to display the posters in various locations, including a dangerous trip to the Chinese border.

This campaign set a precedent around the world and showed numerous artists the ways in which they could use their success and celebrity for positive causes and to affect a real change in the world around them. Strong branding and the use of repetition ensured the message was cemented in the minds of its audience. Though the posters were unsuccessful in ending the Vietnam War raging at the time, they are considered a pivotal moment in changing the public opinion on the conflict.