Item:
ONSV3432

Original U.S. WWII Uncle Sam Recruitment Poster - I WANT YOU FOR THE U.S. ARMY

Item Description

Original Item: Only One Available. This 28" x 22" World War recruitment poster is universally known. Designed by the American artist James Montgomery Flagg.

James Montgomery Flagg was born in New York in 1877. As a child he began to draw and sold his first drawing at the age of 12. Two years later he was contributing to Life Magazine and at fifteen was on the staff of the The Judge. Flagg studied at the Arts Students League in New York. When he was twenty, he spent a year working in London before moving on to France. Flagg was one of America's leading illustrators. His illustrations were in Photoplay, McClure's Magazine, Collier's Weekly, Ladies' Home Journal, Cosmopolitan, Saturday Evening Post and Harper's Weekly. During the First World War Flagg designed 46 posters for the government. His most famous work is the Uncle Sam poster with the caption "I Want You for the U.S. Army". An adapted version of this poster was also used during the Second World War. James Montgomery Flagg died in 1960.

Posters during World War II were designed to instill in the people a positive outlook, a sense of patriotism and confidence. They linked the war in trenches with the war at home. From a practical point, they were used to encourage all Americans to help with the war effort. The posters called upon every man, woman, and child to endure the personal sacrifice and domestic adjustments to further the national agenda. They encouraged rationing, conservation and sacrifice. In addition, the posters were used for recruitment, productivity, and motivation as well as for financing the war effort. The stark, colorful graphic designs elicited strong emotions. The posters played to the fears, frustrations, and faith in freedoms that lingered in people's minds during the war.


An unrestored totally original poster with a clean overall appearance. It has minor signs of use, such as slight edge and fold wear, and very minor creases. The lower right corner has been torn removing about a 3 inch triangle. The Poster has been folded, as it was originally for mailing to various government locations around the country. Unframed.
  • This product is available for international shipping.
  • Not eligible for payment with Paypal or Amazon

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