US 7th War Loan poster with an image of marines raising the flag on Iwo Jima
Extent and Medium
overall: Height: 25.875 inches (65.723 cm) | Width: 18.500 inches (46.99 cm)
Creator(s)
- C. C. Beall (Artist)
- United States Office of War Information (Distributor)
- United States Treasury Department War Finance Division (Issuer)
- United States Government Printing Office (Printer)
Biographical History
The United States Office of War Information (OWI) was created on June 13, 1942, to centralize and control the content and production of government information and propaganda about the war. It coordinated the release of war news for domestic use, and using posters along with radio broadcasts, worked to promote patriotism, warn about foreign spies, and recruit women into war work. The office also established an overseas branch, which launched a large-scale information and propaganda campaign abroad. The government appealed to the public through popular culture and more than a quarter of a billion dollars' worth of advertising was donated during the first three years of the National Defense Savings Program. Victory in Europe was declared on May 8, 1945, and in Japan on September 2, 1945. The OWI ceased operation in September.
Archival History
The poster was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 1988 by David and Zelda Silberman.
Acquisition
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of David and Zelda Silberman
Funding Note: The cataloging of this artifact has been supported by a grant from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.
Scope and Content
7th War Loan poster using a painting by C.C. Beall based on Joe Rosenthal’s famous photo of the US marines second flag raising on Iwo Jima on February 23, 1945. The campaign for a 7th War Loan subscription took place in May 1945, not long after the end of the war in Europe. The Treasury Department issued posters to encourage the public to buy war bonds. There were 8 war loan drives conducted from 1942 to 1945 and by the end of the war 85 million Americans had purchased 185.7 billion dollars of bonds. The public could purchase a $25 war bond for $18.75 which would be used to help pay for the military’s expenses. The war bond could be redeemed 10 years after the purchase for the full $25. The war in Europe ended May 8, 1945, and the war in Japan on September 2, 1945.
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access
Conditions Governing Reproduction
No restrictions on use
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Color offset lithographic poster reproducing a painting of 5 soldiers in helmets and green combat fatigues, in right profile, raising an American flag. They are all grasping to long pole on which the waving flag is anchored. The soldier on the far right crouches near the ground, pulling the pole upright. The other 4 are on the other side of the pole, pushing the flag pole up. The slogan is across the bottom in large white font. On the back are 6 partial pink stamps of a figure.
People
- Beall, C. C. (Cecil Calvert), 1892-1967.
Subjects
- Savings bonds--United States--Posters--Specimens.
- World War, 1939-1945--United States--Posters--Specimens.
- World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects--United States--Posters--Specimens.
- War posters--Specimens.
- World War, 1939-1945--Finance--United States--Posters--Specimens.
- War posters, American--Specimens.
Genre
- Object
- Posters