Original Item. Only One Available. This is an original American WWI patriotic poster titled "For Home and Country," illustrated by Alfred Everitt Orr in 1918 and produced for the Victory Liberty Loan campaign of 1919. Printed in color by the American Lithographic Company of New York, the poster depicts a touching reunion between a returning American soldier and his family, promoting the final government bond drive following the end of WWI.

The central illustration shows a smiling American soldier dressed in his brown service uniform and overseas cap, embracing his wife and young son. The child, wearing red overalls, clings to his father's neck, while his wife, dressed in blue with a white collar, affectionately touches a small decoration on his uniform. A steel helmet hangs from a cord around the soldier's neck. The composition incorporates the patriotic red, white, and blue colors, with the large inscription "For Home and Country" across the top and "VICTORY LIBERTY LOAN" along the bottom. The artist's printed signature, "Alfred Everitt Orr — 18," appears at the lower right of the illustration.

The poster remains in good overall condition for its age, retaining strong colors and a well-defined illustration. The paper exhibits general age toning, with darker discoloration along the margins and lower edge, scattered creasing, and minor staining. There is noticeable edge wear, including several small tears, nicks, and areas of paper loss, particularly along the left margin. The principal artwork and lettering remain well preserved, making this an attractive example of American WWI patriotic artwork.

Historical Context

When the United States entered WWI on April 6, 1917, the federal government faced the enormous expense of mobilizing, equipping, and transporting an army for overseas service. Under President Woodrow Wilson, the Treasury Department launched a series of Liberty Loan campaigns to help finance the war through the sale of government bonds to the American public.

These bonds allowed ordinary citizens to lend money directly to the federal government while earning interest on their investment. Four major Liberty Loan drives were conducted between 1917 and 1918, supported by extensive publicity campaigns involving newspapers, patriotic speeches, public gatherings, and illustrated posters. Local committees organized subscription drives throughout the country, encouraging Americans to contribute according to their financial means.

Following the Armistice of November 11, 1918, the United States still faced considerable military expenditures. American troops remained stationed overseas, while the costs of demobilization, transportation, and outstanding wartime obligations continued to place demands on the Treasury. To meet these expenses, the government organized a fifth and final bond campaign, officially known as the Victory Liberty Loan, which ran from April 21 through May 10, 1919.

The campaign offered government notes bearing 4¾ percent interest, with favorable federal tax treatment. Its publicity emphasized the continuing responsibilities of American citizens after the fighting had ended, frequently appealing to the public's desire for peace and the safe return of servicemen.

Artists and commercial illustrators played an important role in these campaigns, creating designs intended to capture public attention and encourage bond purchases. Alfred Everitt Orr, an American painter and illustrator born in 1886, was responsible for the artwork used in "For Home and Country." His design was completed in 1918, during the closing months of the war, and subsequently used in connection with the Victory Liberty Loan.

The poster's imagery was particularly appropriate for the post-Armistice period. The return of American servicemen was a matter of great personal importance to families across the country, and the promise of reunion provided a powerful appeal to prospective bond purchasers. The family scene also emphasized the domestic life that soldiers had left behind, connecting the financial campaign with the protection of home and family.

Color lithography allowed illustrations such as Orr's to be reproduced for widespread distribution. The American Lithographic Company of New York was among the commercial printers involved in producing wartime publicity material, and its work helped bring government appeals into public spaces, businesses, and communities throughout the country.

The Victory Liberty Loan proved successful, attracting approximately $5.25 billion in subscriptions, of which $4.5 billion was allotted by the Treasury. Approximately 12 million subscriptions were received during the campaign. Across all five major Liberty Loan drives, the United States raised more than $21 billion, providing a substantial portion of the financing needed for American participation in WWI.

The "For Home and Country" poster belongs to the final phase of American wartime publicity, when the emphasis had shifted toward homecoming, demobilization, and the country's remaining financial responsibilities. Its illustration preserves the optimism surrounding the return of American soldiers and the hopes of the families awaiting them.