Date: 1918
Size: 20 x 30 inches
Artist: Unknown
About the Poster: In an attempt to convince the American population to buy bonds and therefore finance the war effort, propaganda posters often resorted to guilting people into donating their money. Rather than advertizing war bonds (which could cost thousands of dollars and were usually directed at the higher classes, large companies, and financial institutions), this poster asks that people buy war savings stamps. Different from postal savings stamps, they were still distributed through the Post Office and could be purchased at a much lower cost - making them more attainable to the "ordinary citizen".
This message is conveyed through the image on the poster of a young boy and girl each clasping a hand of senior officer John J. Pershing. The solemn expression of the soldier and the admiring upward glances of the children insinuate that there is no better way to spend your money than by donating to the war effort. Doing so serves a much higher purpose than anything else a child could use their money for.