Date: 1918
Size: 24 x 31.5 inches
Posters are powerful propaganda tools. During the war, they served to reach and mobilize the population by various means and messages. This poster is promoting the purchase of French war bonds during the First World War. Governments throughout history have needed to borrow money to fight wars. Traditionally they dealt with a small group of rich financiers, but no particular distinction was made between debt incurred in war or peace. This system was also useful as a means of controlling inflation in an overstimulated economy by removing money from circulation until after the war was concluded. However war bonds did more than generate capital, they made civilians feel involved in their national militaries.
The caption for the poster reads "Souscrivez au IVieme Emprunt et le drapeau tri-colore, à Strasbourg annoncera au Monde le règne de la Pais, de la Liberté, de la Justice", translates roughly to "Buy bonds from the fourth issue of the loan and the French flag will fly over Strasbourg, indicating the reign of peace, liberty and justice."
Originally part of the famed Hans Sachs poster collection, this poster survived two World Wars, Nazi looting, restitution to the son of it's former owner and sale at auction in New York. At L'Affichiste we often say that posters are documents of social history, and few would be better examples than this small poster from France.
Recently linen backed. In excellent condition.