Original Items: Only One Set of 2 Available. This is a very nice set of two U.S. WWII Home Propaganda posters, illustrating two major areas of vital importance during the war: War Bonds and Wartime Rationing. Wars are VERY expensive, so getting Americans to buy war bonds was vital to the war effort. However, a side effect of the massive war spending and supply issues was the potential for massive inflation and shortages. This also needed to be addressed, as if people had to spend all of their money on basic necessities, they would not be able to buy war bonds. It was also thought that the potential for shortages could lead to widespread loss of morale.

To combat this, the U.S. Government attempted to control the supply of scarce items by instituting price control ceilings and rationing points. This was unfortunately not very successful, as removing free-market pricing removed the usual way that businesses would adapt to shortages. There was also widespread non-compliance and black market selling, as well as issues with retailers mis-representing products.

The first poster in this set is intended to combat these issues by urging compliance with the U.S. Government price controls and rationing program. This 20" x 28" poster was issued in 1942 by the U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE with designation number 1944-O-571209, and is one of several posters featuring the same image of a woman holding up her right hand. The message on the poster is clear:

KEEP THE
HOME FRONT PLEDGE

Pay no more than Ceiling Prices
Pay your Points in full.

The system only worked if everyone complied with it, so there were many posters of different types issued explaining the system and urging compliance.

The second poster in the set is a 22" x 28" War Bonds poster, which was designed in 1942 by the Victory Display Committee and printed by the U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE with designation number 1942-O-491566. The poster is in black & white with red tones. A soldier stands next to a facsimile of a declaration of war against Japan. He holds his rifle with bayonet with one hand and points at the viewer with the other. The declaration of war is signed by Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Sam Rayburn, and H.A. Wallace.

This is a set of two unrestored totally original U.S. WWII propaganda posters, both with a very clean overall appearance. They are in very good condition, showing bright colors and slight age related discoloration. Both shows the original fold creases but remain smooth and crisp, showing just a slight bit of rippling. There is no major damage to either poster, and they would both look great in frames. Ready to research and display!