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FRENCH AND AMERICAN POSTER ART - FIRST WORLD WAR

We are pleased to announce the acquisition of an important collection of
French and American Posters of the World War I era
 

The collection consists of French and American WWI propaganda posters (1914-1919). Wartime posters were not solely used to recruit men to the military cause.  Many posters commonly urged wartime thrift, and were vocal in seeking funds from the general public via subscription to various war bond schemes (usually with great success).

Most of the posters offered here are multi-color lithographs. Sizes range approximately 47 x 31 inches (or the reverse) and smaller. Each poster is priced separately.

Artists include George Dorival; “Sem”; Jules Abel Faivre; Maurice Neumont; Lieut. Jean Droit; Eugene Courboin;  Geoges Scott; Dominique Charles Fouqueray; E. Dunn; Cushman Parker; Horace Devitt Welsh; William Crawford Young; Alfred Everitt Orr;
and others.

A sampling of a few of the posters: Page 3

   “They Give Their Lives. Do You Lend Your Savings?”

Size:             30 x 20
Sponsor:      W.S.S. (War Savings Stamps) issued by the United States Government + Committee on Public
Information, Division of Pictorial Publicity
Artist:          Horace Devitt Welsh
Date:            c.1918
Printer:       Sackett & Wilheims Corp. N.Y.
Price:           $200.

Image:         Silhouetted grave markers on top of a hill with graphic lettering in red, white and yellow.

Notes:         Two short (1 inch) tears to right edge. 5 inch tear to top edge. A very good example without linen backing.

History:       One of the most graphic and famed posters issued to promote the war effort, created by
Pennsylvania artist and illustrator H. Devitt Welsh.

   “Sir – don’t waste while your wife saves. Adopt the doctrine of the clean plate.
 – do your share.”

Size:            29 x 21½

Sponsor:      United States Food Administration
Artist:          William Crawford Young
Date:            1917 or 1918
Printer:       The W.F. Powers Co. Litho; N.Y.  (No. 20)
Price:           $150.

Image:         A portly  man smokes a cigar at a restaurant table with a large amount of food left on his plates.

Notes:          Multi-color lithograph. Minor half inch tear to border at upper right edge, else a fine example.

History:       Designed to instill patriotism, confidence, and a positive outlook, War Posters were used extensively
to assist the military and persuade all Americans to help with the war effort. The posters called upon every man,
woman, and child to make personal sacrifices or adjustments to further the greater national cause. This particular
poster boosted rationing and conservation of food.

 

   “Your War Savings Pledge. Our boys make good their pledge. Are you keeping yours?”

Size:             16 x10½
Sponsor:      W.S.S. (War Savings Stamps) issued by the United States Government
Artist:          A.A.P.
Date:            c.1918
Printer:       Government Printing Office (S27)
Price:           $125.

Image:         Uncle Sam with one arm around a soldier and the other around a civilian who is purchasing War
Savings Stamps.

Notes:         This is a rare miniature version of a poster usually found 4 times its size (32 x 21). Very fine
condition.

History:       One of many posters urging civilians to support the war effort by purchasing War Savings Stamps.

   “Your Sugar Ration is 2 lbs. per month. This store is pledged to conform to the
sugar regulations of the U.S. Food Administration.”

Size:             20 x 15
Sponsor:      U.S. Government
Artist:          none indicated
Date:            c.1917
Printer:       The Carey Printing Company (New York)
Price:           $150. 

Image:         An illustration of 3 sacks of sugar of differing amounts for Italy, France, and the U.S. (with England).

Notes:          Printed in black & white. A very fine example.

History:       This poster was displayed in many stores. Thus, it is unusual to find it in decent condition. The text
at the bottom reads, "We must confine our consumption of Sugar to not more than 2 lbs. per person per month
in order to provide a restricted ration to England, France and Italy.

   “Quand tu parles de la femme pense à ta mère à ta sœur, à ta fiancée
et tu ne diras pas de bêtises.”  (“When you talk about women, think of your mother, of your sister,
of your fiancée and you will not say vulgar things.”)

Size:             30½ x 46¾
Sponsor:      Les Foyers du Soldat Union Franco-Américaine Y.M.C.A.
Artist:          Geo. Dorival
Date:            1918
Printer:        Coquemer, imp. Paris
Price:           $500.

Image:         Sketched portraits (one of an older lady, facing one of a younger lady) wrapped in wreaths and
bouquets which are colored to symbolize the French flag merging into the U.S. flag.

Notes:         Linen-backed with linen extending 3” above the top of the poster.  There is a minor vertical crease
near the left edge.  Light rubbing along the bottom. A near fine example.

   “V.  Invest.”

Size:             29½ x 19½
Artist:          None indicated
Date:            c.1918
Printer:        The Strobridge Litho Co. Cincinnati  (3.C.)
Price:           $100.

Image:         A blue “V” (for Victory) on a red background with a blue border and white lettering.

Notes:         Short tear to upper edge, a few minor creases, very small piece torn away at lower left corner of border.
A very good example. A graphic poster with an explicit meaning: Invest for Victory.

   “Farm for Freedom. Young Men of America between sixteen and twenty-one years - Earn
a Badge of Honor. Join the United States Boys’ Working Reserve Now! Apply____________ or write
United States Boys’ Working Reserve, Washington, D.C.”

Size:             24 x 19
Sponsor:      United States Department of Labor
Artist:          None indicated
Date:            c.1917
Printer:        None indicated (Government Printing Office)
Price:           $250.

Image:         Impressive recruitment poster with bold block lettering printed in red on a white background.

Notes:         Short (half inch) tear to upper blank border; a few “soft” horizontal wrinkles from being rolled, but a
fine example .

History:       During the War, organizations formed, or adapted, to include young people in the war effort. War brought
chronic food shortages to the United States. America’s demand, coupled with the need to double exports to desperate
European allies, led to calls for greatly increased production. But at the same time, the United States suffered an ongoing
labor shortage. In an attempt to solve both problems at once, the U.S. Department of Labor organized the United States
Boys’ Working Reserve in May 1917. The goal was to enroll hundreds of thousands of 16 to 21 year old boys to work
primarily on farms during summer vacation, thus boosting production and easing the labor shortage. Much of the
remainder of 1917 was spent building an organization in each of the states in cooperation with the state councils of
defense. The organization’s recruitment posters, such as the one offered here, are very scarce when found in such
fine condition.

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This site last updated on 05/27/2011