World War II posters collection

The World War II poster collection consists of 112 posters from the United States, France, and Great Britain and covers the period from 1940-1945. The posters reflect the concerns of a country at war--recruitment; wartime production and labor; scrapping; war bonds and fundraising; patriotic propaganda; and concern over "wartime gossip." The collection is arranged in two series: I. Foreign posters and II. American posters. Within each series, the posters are arranged by issuing body or agency. Series II. American posters, comprises the bulk of the collection.

Languages present in this collection include: English and French. Series I. Foreign posters, addresses concerns present in France and Great Britain between 1940 and 1945, including recruitment; jobs and volunteer positions on the home front; war production; fundraising; patriotic propaganda; and concern over "wartime gossip." The series consists of three French posters, and eleven British posters. Highlights include a poster containing a war protest poem entitled "Monty's Morale"; posters supporting the French Resistance; posters recruiting women as nurses; and a poster encouraging proper flight conduct for Royal Air Force (RAF) pilots.

Series II. American posters, contains posters representing and encouraging support for United States military, civic, and economic initiatives between 1941-1945, including recruitment; wartime production and labor; scrapping; war bonds and fundraising; patriotic propaganda; and concern over "wartime gossip." Highlights of this series include several posters presenting America's diverse range of allies; posters soliciting funds for the China Relief Aid; posters recruiting women into the Women’s' Auxiliary Corps; posters encouraging Native American enlistment; and a poster encouraging adult service as Boy Scout leaders. Items of local and regional interest include several recruitment posters referencing the Coastal Defense Force as well as one US Navy recruitment poster for a location in Philadelphia.