"Sow the Seeds of Victory! Plant & Raise Your Own Vegetables" Vintage National War Garden Commmision Poster by James Montgomery Flagg, 1918

This 1918 National War Garden Commission poster was designed by the famed poster artist, James Montgomery Flagg. An allegorical representation of Liberty scatters handfuls of seeds from her basket into the earth. Liberty wears her classically draped dress, in the colors of the American flag, and wears a Phrygian cap on her head, a historic symbol of freedom and liberty. The compelling exclamation, “Sow the Seeds of Victory! Plant and Raise Your Own Vegetables,” is printed in black and green text at the top. “‘Every Garden a Munition Plant’- Charles Lathrop Pack, President.” is printed along the bottom center margin. Further actionable steps are printed in the bottom right corner of the image: “Write to the National War Garden Commission ~ Washington, D.C. for free books on gardening, canning, & drying.”

The National War Garden Commission was founded in 1917 by Charles Lathrop Pack, shortly before the United States entered the war. Its main goal was to encourage Americans to plant “war gardens” at home, in schools, and in community spaces so that commercially grown food could be sent to soldiers and U.S. allies overseas. These “war gardens” freed up agricultural produce, packaging, and transportation resources for the war effort, and helped offset shortages of agricultural workers. Citizens were urged to utilize all free land not already engaged in farming, like school grounds, parks, backyards, or vacant lots. 

Through artfully designed posters, pamphlets, and public campaigns such as the slogan “Sow the Seeds of Victory,” the National War Garden Commission promoted gardening as a patriotic duty. Women’s clubs, civic associations, and chambers of commerce all actively encouraged participation in the campaign. Amateur and beginner gardeners were provided with instruction pamphlets on how, when, and where to sow, and were offered suggestions as to the best crops to plant, along with tips on preventing rot and insect infestations. The endeavor was so successful that the Commission distributed canning and drying manuals to help people preserve their surplus crops. “As a result of these combined efforts, 3 million new garden plots were planted in 1917 and more than 5.2 million were cultivated in 1918, which generated an estimated 1.45 million quarts of canned fruits and vegetables”(Schumm, 2014).

James Montgomery Flagg (1877-1960) was a prodigious illustrator, working as a contributing artist to Life magazine at the surprisingly young age of 14. He is most famous for creating the first image of the fictional Uncle Sam. His “I want YOU" lithographed image of Uncle Sam was published in 1917, during the first World War. It is storied that Flagg used his own image as the model for Uncle Sam, imagining himself as a much older man and with facial hair.

CONDITION:

Very good condition. Original color lithograph. Color lightly faded. Discoloration along lower outer margin, not affecting image or text. Scattered creases and short tears in margins. Signed in the lithographic stone by Flagg, at bottom. 

Sold unframed, as-is. Unframed Dimensions: 33”H x 22”W.

REFERENCES: 

Schumm, Laura. “America’s Patriotic Victory Gardens.” History, May 29, 2014.