World War I Posters
Uncle Sam points directly out of the poster at you; blue, white, red
James Montgomery Flagg, I Want You for U.S. Army, 1917
Soldier stands weary over a wrecked battlefield; green, brown, orange, yellow
Maurice Neumont, On ne Passe Pas (They Shall Not Pass!), 1918
Red Cross, text; blue, red, white
S. L. Bush, All Here Have Given, circa 1918

World War I Posters (1914 - 1919)

Explore our world-leading World War I collection.

 

World War I was the first conflict in which the illustrated color lithographic poster was used as a propaganda tool. Already well established in the world of commerce, travel and entertainment before the war, illustrated posters had proven the most effective means of advertising yet invented. With radio, TV and sound movies not yet in use, the poster's accessibility and impact made it the single most important means of mass communication.  

 

World War I posters were used by all sides to evoke patriotism, sacrifice, and hatred of the enemy, but they were most successful in the United States where the creative energy of Madison Avenue admen was brought to bear. In scarcely two years, more than 2,500 designs and about 20 million posters persuaded Americans to abandon their isolationism and conduct a full-scale war against the Axis. World War I posters were used for every aspect of waging all-out war, from recruitment and fund raising to home front production, conservation, security and morale. 

 

Today, World War I war posters from all combatants are a major category of poster collecting. This is undoubtedly due to the affordability, beauty and relevance of many of the images. Unfortunately, as nearly a century has passed, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find these posters in good condition. Images that sold for $25 in the 1970's now sell for hundreds and occasionally thousands of dollars.

 

Leading Artists:

United States:  Christy, Flagg, Gibson, Lie, Leyendecker, Paus, Penfield

France:  Faivre, Fouqueray, Jonas, Steinlen

Germany:  Erdt, Erler, Graef, Hohlwein

Italy:  Borgoni, Mauzan

Other:  Biro

For more, visit our past gallery exhibitions: 

Paper Wars - Propaganda Posters of the First and Second World Wars
War and Revolution - Propaganda Posters from World War I America and Revolutionary Russia

 

-> Shop our leading selection of World War I Original Vintage Posters.

Columbia, sword and flag in her hands, calls for recruits; blue, red, white, yellow
Halstead & Aderante, Columbia Calls - Enlist Now for U.S. Army, 1916
Nurse points out wounded man to woman, another nurse tends him; black, white, red
Albert Sterner, We Need You, 1918
Soldiers climb hill towards explosion; red, black
Stoner, Official United States War Films (Infantrymen), 1917

World War I Posters (1914 - 1919)

Explore our world-leading World War I collection.

 

World War I was the first conflict in which the illustrated color lithographic poster was used as a propaganda tool. Already well established in the world of commerce, travel and entertainment before the war, illustrated posters had proven the most effective means of advertising yet invented. With radio, TV and sound movies not yet in use, the poster's accessibility and impact made it the single most important means of mass communication.  

 

World War I posters were used by all sides to evoke patriotism, sacrifice, and hatred of the enemy, but they were most successful in the United States where the creative energy of Madison Avenue admen was brought to bear. In scarcely two years, more than 2,500 designs and about 20 million posters persuaded Americans to abandon their isolationism and conduct a full-scale war against the Axis. World War I posters were used for every aspect of waging all-out war, from recruitment and fund raising to home front production, conservation, security and morale. 

 

Today, World War I war posters from all combatants are a major category of poster collecting. This is undoubtedly due to the affordability, beauty and relevance of many of the images. Unfortunately, as nearly a century has passed, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find these posters in good condition. Images that sold for $25 in the 1970's now sell for hundreds and occasionally thousands of dollars.

 

Leading Artists:

United States:  Christy, Flagg, Gibson, Lie, Leyendecker, Paus, Penfield

France:  Faivre, Fouqueray, Jonas, Steinlen

Germany:  Erdt, Erler, Graef, Hohlwein

Italy:  Borgoni, Mauzan

Other:  Biro

For more, visit our past gallery exhibitions: 

Paper Wars - Propaganda Posters of the First and Second World Wars
War and Revolution - Propaganda Posters from World War I America and Revolutionary Russia

 

-> Shop our leading selection of World War I Original Vintage Posters.

*Header image derived from Herbert Paus' 1918 poster, To Make the World a Decent Place to Live In - Third Liberty Loan.

*Header image derived from Herbert Paus' 1918 poster, To Make the World a Decent Place to Live In - Third Liberty Loan.