1919 “Americans All! Victory Loan” Vintage WWI Poster by Howard Chandler Christy

This original WWI poster encourages all Americans to purchase Victory Liberty Loans. Issued as part of the fifth Liberty Loan run in 1919, the poster was designed by famous illustrator Howard Chandler Christy. The poster depicts a young woman in a dress. She holds the corner of a large American flag in one hand; in the other she waves an olive branch wreath. Along the right side of the poster is a printed “Honor Roll” with fourteen last names listed on the poster. The names listed are Du Bois, Smith, O'Brien, Cejka, Haucke, Pappandrikopolous, Andrassi, Villotto, Levy, Turovich, Kowalski, Chriczanevicz, Knutson, and Gonzales.

Each of the four Liberty Loan campaigns (two in 1917, two in 1918) and the Victory Loan campaign of early 1919 aimed for rapid subscription in the loan and bond programs, to generate quick funding of the war effort. Subscribing to the bonds became a symbol of patriotic duty in the United States and introduced the idea of financial securities to many citizens for the first time. 

Working Americans could buy bonds in denominations of $25 to $1,000, which at the end of the war would be repaid with interest. Those who could not afford such expensive bonds, could buy war stamps in smaller denominations, to then trade in for war bonds. Consequently, there was an outpouring of poster art on both the local and national levels for these loan programs, including this particular poster. The Victory Liberty Loan was issued in April 1919, after the close of the war. Propaganda for the loan stated the money was to be used to bring the soldiers home and take care of them upon return.

Howard Chandler Christy (1872-1952) was an illustrator whose work appeared in countless magazines, books, and posters. Christy's subjects ranged from romantic interludes in high-society New York to historic battles on the Scottish Highlands. His female depictions became so well known that they were nicknamed "Christy Girls." Their lovely faces and forms graced magazine covers, sold Christy-style apparel, and convinced young men to join the Navy and Marines in both World Wars. Howard Chandler Christy created most of his book illustrations in the years between 1895 and 1920, after which he almost exclusively painted portraits. His posters are some of the most famous and iconic of their time. The poster’s publication date and Christy's signature, printed in the lithographic stone, are visible at the bottom right of the poster.

CONDITION:

Very good+ condition. Original color lithograph. Color is strong and vibrant. Paper with light wrinkling and creasing, mostly concentrated along margins, but otherwise very clean. Signed by artist in lithographic stone at bottom right. 

Poster is framed to archival standards, with acid-free mats, UV plexiglas, and a custom-built frame. 

Framed Dimensions: 43 3/4" H x 30 1/2" W x 1 1/2" D. 

Accompanied by our company’s letter of authenticity.