1931 Navy Needs You! Don’t Read American History Make It! James Montgomery Flagg

Date: 1931
Artist: Flagg, James Montgomery
Size (in): 41.25” x 28”
Size (cm): 104.8 x 71.1
Condition: A-
Linen backed: No

This vintage original poster was created by James Montgomery Flagg and issued by the United States Navy in 1917 for recruiting purposes during the First World War. The example offered here, issued in 1931, is the second edition of this poster indicated by “4-27-31” date printed on the lower margin.

Flagg renders an image of man in civilian clothes reading a newspaper as a US Navy sailor places a hand on his shoulder as if speaking the text on the poster – The Navy Needs You! Don’t Read American History – MAKE IT!  A patriotic Columbia figure floats over the two men dressed in red, white and blue and holding her sword and billowing American flag. We believe this interwar poster issued in 1931 is much rarer than the rare original issued in 1917.

This vintage original poster looks unused and shows only light handling wear including slight bumping along the bottom right edge and small crease at the top edge near upper right hand corner. The colors are strong and overall condition is excellent.