Light brown paper envelope used for mailing war posters
Extent and Medium
overall: Height: 9.500 inches (24.13 cm) | Width: 12.000 inches (30.48 cm)
Creator(s)
- United States Office of War Information (Distributor)
- 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 envelope 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
Paper envelope with printed postal information used to mail US war posters distributed by the Office of War Information. On June 13, 1942 the OWI was created with the purpose of communicating the war to the American public by posters, photographs, radio shows, and films. They commissioned work from leading artists of the period. The OWI’s goal was to place posters in the street-level windows of every store, office, and restaurant in every city and town across the United States. The posters would be exchanged for new ones every two weeks.
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access
Conditions Governing Reproduction
No restrictions on use
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Light brown, paper envelope with printed postal information. The top seal flap is folded up with dark adhesive residue surrounding it on the back.
People
- Bailer, Philip.
Genre
- Information Forms
- Object