Alexander Liberman Wall Decorations

This 1943 “United We Win” poster was printed by the Government Printing Office for the War Manpower Commission. The poster depicts two factory workers in an integrated aircraft plant, working together to build a plane. The black and white photograph, taken by Alexander Liberman, is combined with a large American flag at top and the text “United We Win” in bold white letters at bottom. The intent behind the “United We Win'' poster was to encourage all workers, regardless of race, to rise above their personal differences and work together to overcome the Axis powers. The dramatic scope of World War II called for a surge in American factory production. As more laborers were needed to fulfill these efforts, employers eased "the segregation policies that had previously kept African Americans out of many industrial workplaces. But as black workers poured into cities and factories they often met with resentment from white counterparts… Racial prejudice needed to be temporarily set aside to maximize production for the war effort”( Weapons, p. 25). Liberman’s photograph captures two actual employees, Louis Ward and Walter Shippe, working together at a Republic Aircraft Corporation plant. The Government was very aware of the demoralizing effects of racial prejudice on the American population and its negative impact on the war effort. Consequently, it promoted posters, pamphlets, and films highlighting the participation and achievement of African Americans in military and civilian life. This 1943 government poster...

Original vintage World War Two propaganda poster issued by the War Manpower Commission promoting racial solidarity among wartime workers featuring a black and white photograph of two factory workers working together at an integrated aircraft plant during WWII with the red white and blue American flag...

Alexander Liberman (1912-1999), the renowned editorial director at Conde Nast, was almost equally famous for his fine art, both sculpture and paintings. The work featured here was pr...