Original Item. Only One Available. This is an original U.S. WWII Third War Loan poster featuring the dramatic “Back the Attack!” artwork by noted American artist Georges Schreiber (1904-1977). Printed in 1943 by the U.S. Government Printing Office for the Treasury Department’s War Finance Division, this is the desirable 14" x 10" small-format version of the poster rather than the more commonly encountered larger display size.

The artwork depicts an American paratrooper armed with a Thompson submachine gun while numerous additional airborne troops descend beneath open parachutes in the background. The strong perspective, large parachute canopy, and bold red lettering were intended to connect civilians on the Home Front directly with American offensive operations overseas. Across the poster is the well-known slogan:

Back the Attack!
BUY WAR BONDS
3rd War Loan

Along the lower edge, this example retains the original Government Printing Office and War Finance Division markings:

☆ U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1943-O-542562

and at the lower right: WFD-829

The Third War Loan was formally launched on September 9, 1943, with President Franklin D. Roosevelt calling upon Americans to financially “back the attack” as U.S. forces increasingly carried the war into enemy-held territory. The Treasury established a $15 billion goal for the drive, which ultimately brought in substantially more than that amount from non-bank investors. Schreiber’s airborne composition became one of the most recognizable pieces of artwork associated with the campaign.

This example remains quite attractive, with particularly strong color retention throughout the blue sky, olive parachutes, red lettering, and paratrooper artwork. There are visible horizontal fold lines, along with minor edge and corner wear, and scattered staining and handling marks. Importantly, the principal artwork, lettering, and lower printer markings remain clear and complete, and there are no major areas of loss apparent.