Are you interested in WWI and WWII history? Check out the 30 vintage war posters from 1914 – 1945 at the Columbia Pike Branch Library on display to commemorate Memorial Day.

Local resident Mark Hill has generously lent the library part of his collection of original war posters from artists such as:

Norman Rockwell
James Montgomery Flagg
Howard Chandler Christy
Haskell Coffin
E. McKnight Kauffer

These posters will be on display through July 4th, 2010. If you have any questions about the collection, please contact Mark Hill at markhill11@verizon.net

During WWI, as there was no TV or radio, the primary means of garnering support for the War was through the dissemination of messages on posters placed throughout mass public areas like train stations, as well as in shops, armed forces recruiting centers and post offices. Females were often featured as the focal point in these posters, exhorting the onlooker to follow her toward victory.

During WWII, notwithstanding the presence of radio (but still no TV), the poster was still considered a primary source for “broadcasting” the wide range of support-for-the-war messages — Buy War Bonds, Keep Em Flying, Loose Lips Sinks Ships, Give Us Ammo to Strike Down the Enemy, etc.

For both Wars, often the U.S. Government enlisted the aid of then renowned artists to create posters supporting war efforts (some of which are included in this collection).

More information about WWI and WWII War posters can be found at the “A Summons to Comradeship” digital library sponsored by the the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the University of Minnesota Libraries and the Minneapolis Public Library.