Rare Book Monthly
Book Catalogue Reviews - February - 2003 Issue
Powers of Persuasion: Poster Art from World War II
This is Nazi Brutality by Ben Shahn, 1942. Courtesy of NARA Still Picture Branch.
The name of the second segment, “This is Nazi Brutality” is taken from the first poster shown in this segment, created by Ben Shahn in 1942. Here we see a figure imprisoned with a cloak wrapped around his head, and shackles on his wrists. This chilling image is based on the massacre of Lidice, Czechoslovakia in 1942. This is a startling juxtaposition to the brighter images in Part One of the exhibit.
The third segment, “He’s Watching You” presents the theme of homeland espionage. The four posters remind the American public of the dangers to national security, and of the warning not to talk to anyone recklessly about a potential national security issue. Included is the poster is “Wanted! For Murder”. This image depicts an average looking white middle class female with a sinister smirk. Around the image is the statement “Wanted! For Murder…her careless talk costs lives”. Although this poster might have seemed exaggerated to many Americans at the time, the message is clear: do not share secrets with anyone; anyone could be a spy.
In the fourth segment, “He Knew the Meaning of Sacrifice” the theme stresses the importance of sacrifice in the wartime effort, in particular the sacrifice of the overseas soldier. The three images here show soldiers engaged in the brutalities of war. These images served as a reminder to the American public that sacrifice and death were necessary components of war.
The fifth segment “Stamp Em Out!” presents general propaganda messages designed to appeal to every segment of the population, fueling the war effort through whatever method -- factory work, production, conservation and attitude – available. One image, “Stamp Em Out” depicts a military shoed foot stamping on a pile of snakes. Another image, “Crack the Axis” (subtitle, “with uninterrupted production”) depicts a bomb going towards a Japanese flag and swastika.
In summary, Powers of Persuasion: Poster Art from World War II successfully reflects the style and method used in poster propaganda during the Second World War. These images are not subtle. These vintage posters will be burnt into the memory of the viewer forever. Many (such as Rockwell’s “Freedom” series or James Flagg’s “I Want You”) are already familiar. Visually, the caricature and flavor of the propaganda posters of that era might also remind the viewer of Hollywood movie posters during the same period. Ironically, though the exhibit is historical the subject of wartime propaganda is unfortunately all too timely. Though the media has changed, messages that relate the impending threat of the enemy can be heard in our country each day. This exhibit reminds the viewer how the style of the message has changed through the last sixty years.
The collector of Americana will be especially interested in this exhibit, as posters and other ephemeral materials are increasingly becoming hot items in the auctions world. One such example is the upcoming vintage poster sale at Swann Galleries in New York on January 30 (and written about in Everett Wilkie's current "Sold!" column). Keep your eyes peeled for further posts for upcoming auctions on AE’s Auctions Calendar and check Mr. Wilkie's columns for details about such auctions.
