1943 Government Control of Coal Mine Terminated UMW Strike WWII

Date: 1943 
Artist: Unknown    
Size (in): 28” x 20”  
Size (cm): 71 x 51 
Condition: A
Linen backed: No

This rare vintage original WWII poster was issued by the United States Department of the Interior in 1943.  This poster declares that “government possession and control of the coal mines of this mining company have been terminated by order of Secretary of the Interior” and has the printed signature of Harold L. Ickes, Secretary of the Interior. 

In May 1943 President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9340 seizing the nations coal mines due to widespread strikes that endangered the vital wartime supply of coal.  The order wasn’t rescinded until 1947 but some coal mines that settled strikes were returned to private operation prior to that.  This poster has a 1943 date code in the lower margin.  This poster was not widely issued which accounts for its rarity.  

This vintage original WWII era poster is free or tape or pinholes and looks pretty well unused with only light handling wear and slight toning from age.  Overall condition is excellent.