The Art of War – World War One Poster Art

Today’s post is what is sometimes referred to as “picspam.” I find WWI-era posters fascinating. Here are a few interesting ones. I’ll post some recruitment posters later this month.

Posters aimed at financing the war were very common. Here’s a German war bond poster.

Here’s one for the Russian liberty loan.

Money was needed for relief of refugees and other victims of the war.

This American War Bond poster is unusual because it’s a photograph rather than a painting.

Sentimental appeals were quite common.

Familiar figures were appropriated for the cause as well.

Appeals continued ever after the war ended.

About Victoria Janssen

Victoria Janssen [she, her] currently writes cozy space opera for Kalikoi. The novella series A Place of Refuge begins with Finding Refuge: Telepathic warrior Talia Avi, genius engineer Miki Boudreaux, and augmented soldier Faigin Balfour fought the fascist Federated Colonies for ten years, following the charismatic dissenter Jon Churchill. Then Jon disappeared, Talia was thought dead, and Miki and Faigin struggled to take Jon’s place and stay alive. When the FC is unexpectedly upended, Talia is reunited with her friends and they are given sanctuary on the enigmatic planet Refuge. The trio of former guerillas strive to recover from lifetimes of trauma, build new lives on a planet with endless horizons, and forge tender new connections with each other.
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6 Responses to The Art of War – World War One Poster Art

  1. LDWatkins says:

    Interesting, seeing the old posters. Hope we never have to see new ones!!!

  2. Victoria Janssen says:

    Some of them are really interesting as part of the history of illustration and advertising. I'm hoping there's a book on that somewhere.

  3. Christine says:

    I've always loved the illustrations on the war posters. There were some impressive and imaginative artists during that time.

  4. Marie Harte says:

    Nice post, Victoria. My favorite pic is the one with the female Marine that says: If you want to fight, join the Marines.
    I used to have the poster but lost it during a move.

    :) Marie

  5. Victoria Janssen says:

    That is an excellent one. There was a similar one for the Navy. "Gee! I wish I were a man. I'd join the Navy."

  6. jennareynolds says:

    Fascinating posters. My son is a World War II buff and the ones from that war are interesting also.

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