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Archives at The Museum of Flight


Series XII. World War II Propaganda Posters, circa 1939-1945

 Series

Scope and Contents

The World War II-era Propaganda Posters series is comprised of posters mass-produced during the years of 1939 to 1945 used to promote support of the war effort. The series includes both vintage posters and some modern reproductions of World War II-era posters.

The posters illustrate the United States government's wartime initiatives that were publicized to American civilians, such as propaganda to persuade the public to purchase war bonds or take on jobs to support the needs of the military. The posters range in size from 9.5 x 12 inches to 24 x 36 inches and include examples of works by artists Norman Rockwell, Joseph Anderson, Stevan Dohanos, Carolyn Moorhead Edmundson, Arthur Fisher, Allen Russell Saalburg, and Georges Schreiber.

The series has been arranged into four subseries that reflect the thematic elements of the poster: Subseries A. "Careless talk" campaign, Subseries B. Recruitment, Subseries C. War bonds, and Subseries D. Assorted posters. There are two subseries within the Recruitment grouping that highlight items related to the recruitment of women for various wartime jobs and recruitment posters for the United States Army Air Forces. Subseries D contains assorted posters that fall outside the main themes of the collection but still provide documentation of World War II campaigns, such as fuel shortages and the manufacturing of fighter planes.

Dates

  • Creation: circa 1939-1945

Language of Materials

From the Collection:

All materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research and is accessible in the Dahlberg Research Center by appointment. For more information contact us

Extent

From the Collection: 4.5 Cubic Feet (10 oversize folders (30x40" and 35x47"), 1 oversize box (16x20x3"); 1 oversize box (20x24x3"); 1 oversize box (24x32x3"))

Repository Details

Part of the The Museum of Flight Archives Repository

Contact:
9404 East Marginal Way South
Seattle Washington 98108-4097
206-764-7874


The Museum of Flight | 9404 E. Marginal Way South | Seattle WA 98108-4097 | 206-764-5874
Contact us with a research request
curator@museumofflight.org