While the modern poster was born in the mid 19th century, its
role was mostly limited to advertising and entertainment.
However, with the start of WWI, the great war, the war to end
all wars, the role of posters and their importance changed
drastically. If up until then the poster had gone unnoticed by
the masses, that was about to change. Posters were now asking
people not only to spend their money, but to act. Enlist,
recycle, sacrifice, keep your mouth shut, buy War Savings Stamps
and subscribe to the Liberty Loan. As a majority of Americans
remained largely uneducated, posters relied on simple messages.
Posters with no text at all were among the most powerful and as
they had to be, relying solely on the image to get their point
across. When the siren was sounded, some of the best known
magazine and advertising illustrators responded to the call for
service. Among them were Charles Dana Gibson, James Montgomery
Flagg, Howard Chandler Christy, and Joseph Leyendecker.
Gallery@InternationalVintagePosters.com