1943 Wickwire Spencer Steel Co. Artzybasheff Anti-Axis Hitler Tojo Mosquitos

Date: 1943
Artist: Artzybasheff, Boris
Size (in): 21.5” x 17”
Size (cm): 54.6 x 43.2
Condition: B
Linen backed: No

This is a vintage original WWII era offset advertising poster created by Ukrainian born American illustrator Boris Artzybasheff for the Wickwire Spencer Steel Company of Buffalo, New York.

Artzybasheff created a series of these posters for the Wickwire Spencer Steel Company during WWII with each one rendering a surreal image of the company’s steel products destroying or menacing the Axis powers in a variety of creative and fantastical ways. This poster is printed with a 1943 copyright by the Wickwire Spencer Steel Company and mocks the Axis leaders Hitler, Tojo and Mussolini by depicting them as mosquitos trying to get to a bowl of fruit but stymied by wire mesh. Wire mesh was the main product lines sold by the Wickwire Spencer Steel Company.

This vintage original poster shows modest toning from age on the margins and moderate handling wear including some bumping along the bottom edge on the left side.  The poster is free of tape or pinholes.  Overall condition is very good for this rare piece from one of the most prolific and important illustrators of the 20th century.  See our other listings for more posters from this series.