1942 You Buy 'Em We'll Fly 'Em Defense Bonds Stamps Walter Wilkinson WWII

Date: 1942
Artist: Wilkinson, Walter G.
Size (in): 28” x 20.25”
Size (cm): 71 x 51.5
Condition: B+
Linen backed: No

This poster was created by British born artist Walter G. Wilkinson to help promote the Defense Bond Stamps program of the United States government during WWII.  Defense Bond Stamps could be purchased with small amounts of spare change and saved up over time to be redeemed for an actual bond giving more Americans a way to support the war effort financially.  Wilkinson renders and image of a cheerful pilot giving a “thumbs up” from his cockpit on the tarmac as the sky above him fills with U.S. Army Air Force planes and the poster’s tagline “you buy ‘em we’ll fly ‘em!”. This poster is a vintage original produced during the first year of American involvement in the war. 

The poster was issued folded and has been professionally conservation mounted to a linen backing.   The poster had a short tear of about two inches at the bottom center and short tear of about a half inch on the upper left corner both without loss of paper and both expertly corrected during the linen backing process.   The colors remain strong and the poster displays beautifully.  Overall condition is very good.