An enormous number of posters were produced in the United States during its participation in the First World War. Spurred by the example of various European combatants, the creation and production of these posters quickly achieved a high level of artistic involvement. Thousands of designs were produced, and most of them were printed in very large numbers. As a consequence, collectors generally have a wide range of attractive options.
World War I posters are categorized by their themes, functions, and intended audience. Probably most popular are the posters aimed at recruiting members for the various branches of the U.S. armed forces - Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, Army Flying Corps. Other categories include poster dealing with war aims (propaganda), home front conservation efforts and United Work Campaign, the Red Cross, and the subscription of the Liberty and Victory Loan campaigns. Each of the four liberty loan campaigns (two in 1917, two in 1918), and the Victory Loan of early 1919 brought an outpouring of poster art at both the local and national level - in addition to securing 30 billion of dollar for the U.S. government, not an inconsiderable sum in those days.
Collectors may also shape a collection around the work of a particular artist. For example, two of the most popular of the period were James Montgomery Flagg and Howard Chandler Christy. Flagg's famed "UNCLE SAM NEEDS YOU" was an undeniable classic, as are any number of Christy's equally famed and highly colorful naval recruiting posters. Both artists are collectible in their own right and their signature pieces are essential building blocks for a representative collection.
The Horse Soldier takes pleasure in offering such a large spread of World War I poster art, in untreated condition ranging from very good to mint. These works were designed to inspire patriotism while urging citizens to make sacrifices for the national cause, and they succeeded admirably. Ninety years later they retain their worth as a precious part of the American heritage.
ALL POSTERS IN THE COLLECTION ARE MOUNTED AND SHRINK WRAPPED.
THE MAJORITY OF THE POSTERS WILL NEED TO BE SHIPPED VIA UPS DUE TO THEIR DIMENSIONS.
WE HAVE MULTIPLES OF A NUMBER OF POSTERS, SO IF YOU SEE THAT ONE HAS SOLD,
PLEASE INQUIRE AND WE CAN E-MAIL YOU PHOTOS OF WHAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE.
PLEASE NOTE - TO PLACE AN ORDER, PLEASE E-MAIL, CALL OR FAX - OUR ONLINE SHOPPING CART IS NOT FUNCTIONING
*****************************************************************************************************
IN ORDER TO INSURE THE SMOOTH PROCESSING OF YOUR ORDER, WE WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF YOU
WOULD MAKE A NOTE OF THE SUB-HEADING EACH POSTER FALLS UNDER WHEN YOU CALL OR E-MAIL. THANK YOU!
*****************************************************************************************************
World War I Posters by Type