1940s Posters

Presented is a vintage U.S. Army WWII recruitment poster by the famous artist James Montgomery Flagg. Published on January 2, 1941 by Leslie-Judge Co., this poster is the World War II adaptation of Flagg's memorable 1917 “I Want You” Uncle Sam poster...

This is an original World War II Marines recruitment poster from 1942. The poster, a color lithograph, was printed by the Alpha Litho. Co., out of Camden, NJ. In the center of the composition appears a striking blue eagle, which tears apart a Japanese plane with its talons. The poster displays the slogan "Wear the FIGHTINEST wings in the service, Fly with the Marines" in bold letters above and below the image. On the bottom in black lettering is the phrase: "Apply, or write, to nearest recruiting station." The Marines logo appears in yellow in the top right hand corner of the composition, set against a red background. The Second World War ushered in the biggest government-led 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 Office of War Information (OWI) commissioned some of the nation’s leading artists to produce the stark, colorful graphic designs. The posters played to the fears, frustrations, and faith in freedoms that lingered in people's minds during the war. The most common themes found in the posters were the consequences of careless talk, supporting the war effort at home through conservation, victory gardens, and the purchasing of War Bonds, and anti-German and Japanese propaganda...

This is an original WWII poster by Allen Saalburg, published in 1942. The poster features a tattered American flag at half-mast, with billowing smoke, flames, and a partially obscure...

Presented is an original WWII poster by Bettina Steinke. The poster depicts, from left to right, an American Army soldier, a Navy man, a nurse, a Marine, a...

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...

Presented is an original WWII poster by artist John Vickery. The poster depicts an American soldier as he prepares to hurl a grenade. The script “God help me ...

Original vintage advertising poster for the Fashion Week Amsterdam 13-20 November 1948 featuring a great mid-century design of two dressmaker's mannequin ...

1949 exhibition poster, great graphics, professionally framed!

Set of 6 photolithography posters collection all designed by E. Schoenenberger and published among with others by Nebelsparter publishing company, Rorschach, Switzerland. All items a...

Original vintage advertising poster for the International Exhibition of Urban Housing organised by the Ministry of Reconstruction and Urbanism and held in Paris from 10 July to 17 Au...

An original lithograph Swiss art exhibition poster, designed by Hans Erni, circa 1949, depicting a stylized, Picasso-inspired rendering of a the upper body of a nude woman in black a...

An original Swiss lithograph cabaret poster, designed by Hans Falk, circa 1949, featuring an expressively rendered, inky cat, evocative of a Japanese i...