Original Item. Only One Available. This is an excellent original U.S. WWII Army conservation poster featuring Uncle Sam wearing an M1 steel helmet with a rifle slung over his shoulder, pointing directly at the viewer. Issued in 1943 as part of the U.S. Army’s SAVE Conservation Program, the poster urged soldiers to properly care for government-issued equipment and conserve vital military materiel. Even more interesting, the reverse retains the original War Department instructions directing exactly where the poster was to be displayed in barracks, tents, hutments, day rooms, and recreation areas. This is the first example of this rare poster we’ve offered.

The bold text across the front and bottom reads:

YOU’VE GOT WHAT
IT TAKES SOLDIER -

NOW TAKE CARE OF
WHAT YOU’VE GOT!

This urged the soldier to take care of his Army equipment, the equipment required to “do the job”. This poster was made as part of the U.S. Army SAVE Conservation program.

The image was created by noted illustrator Ernest Hamlin Baker, whose work appeared on a number of wartime posters and magazine covers. The design depicts Uncle Sam as an active soldier rather than in his more familiar civilian top hat and striped clothing, reinforcing the message that every serviceman had a personal responsibility for the equipment issued to him.

The back of the poster has INSTRUCTIONS for POSTING, reading:

For troops housed in barracks.
One poster will be displayed prominently in each barrack.

For troops housed in tents or hutments. One poster in day room, rec-
reation room or other place where men congregate.

Poster will be put up as soon as received,
And will be left up for one month.

THE WAR DEPARTMENT is particularly anxious to focus atten-
tion on this program, and desires the cooperation of all higher
Commanders in accentuating its importance, and insuring that the
Instructions issued with each specific medium are properly executed.
Cir. 240, WD, 4 Oct. 1943

The poster has the normal fold markings made when this poster was shipping, with some small tears and staining. The color is very well-retained, and this example would look fantastic in a frame.

With its bold Uncle Sam artwork, original 1943 Army SAVE Conservation Program message, full War Department posting instructions, strong surviving color, and original distribution folds, this is a particularly attractive example of WWII U.S. Army barracks material. It would display exceptionally well in a collection focused on American wartime posters, U.S. Army home-front and training material, or Uncle Sam imagery.