"Attack Attack Attack. Buy War Bonds" Vintage WWII Poster by Ferdinand Warren, 1942

Offered is a dynamic WWII War bonds poster by Ferdinand Warren. The propaganda poster was issued by the U.S. Government Printing Office in 1942. It features a patriotic image of soldiers during a beach landing. Some soldiers are charging a battalion, others man the machine guns set up on the sand dunes. A swarm of fighter planes amass above them. The text  "Attack Attack Attack” and “Buy War Bonds" is printed at top and bottom in large white letters. The call to action at bottom encourages onlookers to give needed financial backing for their country and military. 

During WWII, the government received funding directly from United States citizens in the form of war saving bonds and stamps, which were paid back later with interest. Purchasing war bonds was viewed as a way for American citizens to support the war effort. Traditionally, large dollar bond amounts, ranging from $50 to $1000, were purchased for bonds. However, in the 1940’s, the average American did not have extra money to purchase these large bond amounts. In response, war savings stamps were created by the United States Post Office. 

These postal stamps were in smaller denominations, starting at 10 and 25 cents, ranging up to $1 and $5, and could be collected in a war bond stamp book. The stamps earned no interest, but were used to eventually redeem a Series E War Bond. Once a person collected enough stamps they could purchase a larger war bond of $25, $50, or $100. 

Eight War Loan Drives were conducted in the US from 1942 to 1945. 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.

Ferdinand Warren (1899-1981) was an American artist known for his figurative and still-life paintings. He attended the Kansas City Art Institute and later  created War Bond posters for the U.S. Government. After WWII, he continued his career as a commercial artist, working primarily in oil paintings. 

CONDITION:

Overall very good condition, with no severe wear visible. Original chromolithograph. Color is vibrant. Signed by artist lower left in litho stone. "U.S. Government Printing Office: 1942-O-497775 WSS 697-C" printed at bottom margin.

Framed according to conservation standards in a custom wooden frame. Framed Dimensions: 29 3/4" H x 23 3/4" W x 2" D.