"Doing all you can, Brother? Buy War Bonds" Vintage WWII Poster, 1943

Presented is an original War Bonds propaganda poster from 1943, illustrated by Robert Smullyan Sloan. The poster features a close-up portrait of a wounded U.S. soldier on a war-ravaged and devastated battleground. The soldier has a bloodied bandage around his head and looks head on out at the audience. The text reads "Doing All You Can, Brother?" in white script. At the bottom the poster urges viewers to "Buy War Bonds."

Defense Bonds first went on the market on May 1, 1941, and they were renamed War Bonds after the US entered the war in December 1941. Bonds were available in denominations of $25 through $1,000, designed to be affordable for every household. Eight War Loan Drives were conducted in the US from 1942 to 1945. Each was meant to raise an additional $9-$15 billion. Towns received quotas, with the aim of promoting competition between towns. Volunteers went door-to-door, pleading for bond sales and rewarding purchasers with stickers to display on their window or door.

The drives were conducted on the following dates: First War Loan Drive: Nov. 30 to Dec. 23, 1942; Second War Loan Drive: Apr. 12 to May 1, 1943; Third War Loan Drive: Sep. 9 to Oct. 1, 1943; Fourth War Loan Drive: Jan. 18 to Feb. 15, 1944; Fifth War Loan Drive: June 12 to July 8, 1944; Sixth War Loan Drive: Nov. 20 to Dec. 16, 1944; Seventh War Loan Drive: May 14 to June 30, 1945; Victory Loan Drive: Oct. 29 to Dec. 8, 1945.

By the end of the war, 85 million Americans (out of a population of 131 million) had purchased $185.7 billion dollars of bonds – over $2,000 per person, at a time when the average income was $2,000 per year. The patriotism and personal sacrifice of the average citizen played a significant part in the Allied war effort.

Artist Robert Smullyan Sloan worked primarily in commercial illustration and provided images for American magazines such as Time and Collier’s. Sloan was commissioned to produce posters such as this one to help sell war bonds, for which he received a Citation for Distinguished Service. 

CONDITION:

Original lithograph. Good condition. Paper is healthy, with only fold line at center from past storage and light wrinkles to outer margins. Signed "Robert Sloan" in the lithographic stone at bottom right of image. Printed with "U.S. Government Printing Office: 1943- O- 502-782 WSS715" at bottom center margin. 

Sold unframed, as-is. Unframed Dimensions: 40"H x 28 1/2" W.