Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 5

"Men Wanted For the Army" Vintage WWI Recruitment Poster

About the Item

Presented is a vintage U.S. Army recruitment poster, dating to World War I. The poster depicts an Army officer conferring with a soldier. They stand next to an artillery battery, manned by two soldiers. Their fort looks over a cliff, with water and clouds completing the background. The text "Men Wanted for the Army" is printed in bold red letters at the top of the poster. The bottom margin of the poster includes a cartouche where the name of the recruiting station can be filled in. The color lithograph was illustrated by Michael P. Whelan. The poster is one in a series of several Army recruitment posters by Whelan. Until the advent of the Cold War in the 1950s, America traditionally maintained a relatively small standing army and navy. Whenever war broke out, it was necessary for the country to mobilize for the fight—to recruit (and sometimes draft) troops, to train them, and to produce the arms, equipment, and supplies needed to fight. When Congress and President Woodrow Wilson declared war on Germany in April of 1917, this mobilization took on extreme urgency. The government’s overarching goal was to persuade a traditionally isolationist American populace to invest and support the European war effort. They needed support financially, through the purchase of war bonds and rationing, and emotionally, through volunteer service (men for the armed forces, women for the nurse corps), displays of patriotism, and shared sacrifice. New government organizations, especially the Committee on Public Information, were tasked with putting out a singular patriotic message, achieved primarily through posters and printed pamphlets. The war ushered in the biggest advertising campaign to date, critical to the wartime communication needs of every combatant: from raising money, recruiting soldiers and boosting volunteer efforts, to spurring production and provoking outrage at enemy atrocities. The bold and colorful graphic designs, created by some of the nation’s leading artists, elicited strong emotions. The posters played to the fears, frustrations, and faith in freedoms that lingered in people's minds during the war. The United States alone produced about 2,500 poster designs and approximately 20 million posters, nearly 1 for every 4 citizens, in little more than 2 years. Condition: Poster is signed in the lithographic stone at the bottom left. Color has faded slightly but is still very attractive. Light crease at centerfold, from past storage and display. Poster is presented in a custom-built black frame. Framed by previous owner. Framed Dimensions: 41" H x 31" W x 3/4" D.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 41 in (104.14 cm)Width: 31 in (78.74 cm)Depth: 0.75 in (1.91 cm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
    1910-1919
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1917
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading.
  • Seller Location:
    Colorado Springs, CO
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: P4111stDibs: LU909730235262

More From This Seller

View All
"Join the Army at Once & Help to Stop an Air Raid" Vintage British WWI Poster
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
"Join the Army at Once & Help to Stop an Air Raid" Vintage British WWI Poster, 1915 This vintage British recruitment poster, published in 1915, calls on men to join the Army. In full, the text reads, “It is far better to face the bullets than to be killed at home by a bomb / Join the Army at once & help stop an air raid / God save the king.” On the poster, a silhouette of London lies beneath a spotlighted German Zeppelin looming above. This recruitment poster is displayed in a custom-built archival frame. WWI was the first time British civilians were in the direct line of fire in the modern era, creating the idea of the "homefront.’" Traditionally concerned with its coastal borders, Britain was highly unprepared for a sudden and prolonged German air raid. Throughout 1915 and 1916, successive German Zeppelin attacks ravaged several cities, but most notably London. These attacks continued until 1918, but newer aircrafts were used. The Germans hoped to enrage the British people so that they would demand their government made peace. However, their plan backfired when the United Kingdom cried for German defeat...
Category

Vintage 1910s Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Paper

Army Air Service "Over There!" WW I Recruitment Poster by Louis Fancher, 1918
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Offered is a 1918 WWI recruitment poster by Louis Fancher. This U.S. Army Signal Corps Recruitment Poster features an army serviceman raising one hand and...
Category

Vintage 1910s American Posters

Materials

Paper

"The U.S. Marines Want You" Vintage WWII Recruitment Poster, 1940
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
This is an original World War II Marines recruitment poster, issued in 1940. The poster depicts a no-nonsense Marine drill instructor, pointing directly at the viewer, in front of a ...
Category

Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Posters

Materials

Paper

"Join the Air Service" Vintage WWI Poster by J. Paul Verrees, 1917
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
This is very scarce WWI recruiting poster for the Army Air Service. The poster dramatically features a two-man open cockpit biplane with American and French markings flying against a red sky background. In the foreground, two uniformed spotters look on. The poster reads "Join the Air Service...
Category

Vintage 1910s American Posters

Materials

Paper

"Aviation Cadet Training, U.S. Army Air Force" Vintage WWII Recruitment Poster
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented is a vintage U.S. Army Air Forces recruitment poster from WWII. The poster was published in August of 1943 by the Recruiting Publicity Bureau....
Category

Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Posters

Materials

Paper

"Shall We Be More Tender with Our Dollar" Vintage WWI 2nd Liberty Loan Poster
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
This original WWI poster was issued as part of the Second Liberty Loan run and dates to 1917. The poster depicts a young soldier holding an American flag in one hand and his uniformed hat in the other. Next to him, a sailor holds a leaflet outstretched toward the viewer. The leaflet is printed with an emblem of the Statue of Liberty and says “We Depend On You.” At the top of the poster is a quote by Secretary of the Treasury McAdoo, “Shall we be more tender with our dollars than we are with the lives of our sons?” The quote is printed in white block letters on a red field. Below, the poster encourages viewers to “Buy A United States Government Bond of the 2nd Liberty Loan of 1917” in white block letters on a blue field. The poster was printed for the U.S. Treasury by Edwards & Deutsch Litho. Co. in Chicago. The poster encourages Americans to help with the war effort by purchasing bonds to finance the war. Each of the four Liberty Loan campaigns (two in 1917, two in 1918) and the Victory Loan campaign of early 1919 aimed for rapid subscription in the loan and bond programs, to generate quick funding of the war effort. Subscribing to the bonds became a symbol of patriotic duty in the United States and introduced the idea of financial securities to many citizens for the first time. Working Americans could buy bonds...
Category

Vintage 1910s American Posters

Materials

Paper

You May Also Like

World War I WWI Recruitment Poster, General Pershing “You Are Wanted by US Army”
Located in Jensen Beach, FL
Incredibly rare WWI recruitment poster featuring what is likely General Pershing on horseback with a play on the poster featuring Uncle Sam proclaiming “I want you.” Printed for Sa...
Category

Vintage 1910s Posters

Materials

Paper

Original Antique Army WWI Poster Men Of London Each Recruit Means Quicker Peace
Located in London, GB
Original antique World War One recruitment propaganda poster published by The Publicity Department, Central Recruiting Depot - Men of London! Each recruit means quicker peace Join to-day God save the King...
Category

Vintage 1910s British Posters

Materials

Paper

Original Vintage Recruitment Poster Territorial Army For England And Freedom UK
Located in London, GB
Original vintage military recruitment propaganda poster - For England and Freedom! Join the Territorial Army - featuring a colourful design by the painter Lance Cattermole (1898-1992...
Category

Vintage 1930s British Posters

Materials

Paper

Original Vintage British Military Recruitment Poster Join The Modern Army WWII
Located in London, GB
Original vintage military recruitment poster - Join The Modern Army - featuring British Army soldiers in uniform driving various tanks and other vehicles including a car and riding m...
Category

Vintage 1940s British Posters

Materials

Paper

Original Vintage British Recruitment Poster Join The Regular Army Scottish Piper
Located in London, GB
Original vintage British Army recruitment poster - It's a real man's life Join the Regular Army - featuring a Scottish Regiment soldier of the Scots Guards in traditional Scottish ta...
Category

Vintage 1950s British Posters

Materials

Paper

Original Vintage Military Recruitment Poster Join The Tenth Hussars British Army
Located in London, GB
Original vintage military recruitment poster featuring an illustration of a tank with the text on three banner flags above reading - A man'...
Category

Vintage 1950s British Posters

Materials

Paper

Recently Viewed

View All