World War I Posters

Collection Items

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  His Home Over There

  Providing morale and welfare services for the military, the YMCA operated 1,500 canteens in the United States and France; set up 4,000 YMCA huts for recreation and religious services; and raised more than $235 million for relief work. Designed by Albert Herter, (1871-1950).
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  YMCA United War Work Campaign, November 11-18, 1918

  YMCA poster featuring the portrait of General John J. Pershing by S.J. Wauk. Text reads “‘A sense of obligation for the varied and useful service rendered to the army in France by the Y.M.C.A. prompts me to join in the appeal for its further financial support. I have opportunity to observe its operations, measure the quality of its personnel and mark its beneficial influences upon our troops, and I wish unreservedly to commend its work for the Army.’ – Pershing — United War Work Campaign – November 11-18, 1918”. Text below image states “Message was cabled from France on August 21, 1918”. This poster was produced by the Committee of Public Information’s Division of Pictorial Publicity.
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  For your boy : United War Work Campaign : November 11-18, 1918

  Artist Arthur William Brown (1881-1966) illustrated for the Saturday Evening Post and created illustrations for the short stories of authors like F. Scott Fitzgerald and Sinclair Lewis. This poster was produced by the Committee of Public Information’s Division of Pictorial Publicity.
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  Back our girls over there - YWCA

  The war opened a variety of employment opportunities to women. A 1918 YMCA “War Work for Women” pamphlet cited 1.5 million women engaged in “War Orders.” This YMCA poster by Clarence F. Underwood (1871-1929) illustrates a Signal Corps worker. Known as “Hello Girls” these women wore military uniforms and conformed to military law but were considered civilian military employees.
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  Third Red Cross Roll Call

  American Red Cross poster illustrated by Haskell Coffin (1878–1941). Features a Red Cross nurse with outstretched hands. Text reads “Third Red Cross Roll Call”
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  Make our American Red Cross in peace as in war : "the Greatest Mother in the World"

  American Red Cross poster showing a nurse in the fore depicted in the style of Virgin Mary and an oversized red cross with text that reads “Make Our American Red Cross In Peace as in War — ‘The Greatest Mother in the World’ — Third Red Cross Roll Call Nov. 2-11, 1919.” Illustrated by A. E. (Alonzo Earl) Foringer, (1878-1948).
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  The Spirit of America

  Successor of the “Gibson Girl,” Howard Chandler Christy’s (1873-1952) interpretation put his leading lady into wartime service for the United States Navy, Marines, and Red Cross, as seem here. Christy would become one of the Jazz Age’s most popular portrait painters
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  Keep 'em smiling! Help War Camp Community Service.

  Illustration by M. Leone Bracker (1885-1937) of three smiling servicemen and bearing the inscription “Keep ’em Smiling! Help War Camp Community Service – Morale is Winning the War – American War Work Campaign.”
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  That Liberty Shall Not Perish From The Earth: Buy Liberty Bonds

  Steeped in propaganda, Joseph Pennell’s (1872-1926) work for Fourth Liberty Loan depicted terror at America’s shores. Despite the fact that aircraft of the time weren’t making overseas journeys, the poster was effective—two million copies were printed and distributed
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  Lest We Perish

  The American Committee for Relief in the Near East (ACRNE), as it was then known, raised funds for Middle Eastern and African countries. In the early 20th century nearly one thousand Americans volunteered to travel overseas and raised more than $100 million for direct relief. This specific poster refers to the Armenian genocide of 1915-1923.
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  And they thought we couldn't fight : Victory Liberty Loan

  Prior to WWI America’s army wasn’t the super power that it is today and was thought by much of the world to be weak. Here an American soldier unsubtly disproves this notion. Artist Vic Forsythe (1885-1962) worked for William Randolph Hearst at the New York Journal.
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  For Home and Country

  Poster for the Victory Liberty Loan campaign this one depicts a solider home from battle, embracing his family. By artist Alfred Everitt Orr (1886-)
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  Sure! We'll Finish the Job

  A non-combatant wearing Liberty Loan buttons. Designed by Gerrit A. Beneker (1882-1934) for the Victory Liberty Loan campaign, which was the fifth and final Liberty Loan drive. The “job” to be finished, was that of fund raising to pay for the war.
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  Oh Boy! That's the Girl!

  Helen Purviance of Huntington, Indiana served the first Salvation Army doughnut to a homesick doughboy in France on October 19, 1917. Her Hoosier hospitality caught on. Soon other “lassies” were serving 9,000 doughnuts per day to America’s boys “over there.” Printed in 1918 and designed by George M. Richards (1880-1958).
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  Blood or Bread

  A haunting depiction of war’s realities used to encourage home front food conservation. The poster reads "Blood or Bread. Others are giving their blood. You will shorten the war- save life if you eat only what you need and waste nothing."
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  Food is ammunition- don't waste it

  Food conservation was encouraged on the home front. Poster designed by John E. Sheridan, (1880-1948). Sheridan created works for publications such as: The Saturday Evening Post, Collier’s Weekly, and Ladies’ Home Journal.