1941 Take The Wheel Steer A Course For Future Success US Navy Matt Murphey

Date: 1941
Artist: Murphy, Matt
Size (in): 42” x 28.125”
Size (cm): 106.7 x 71.4
Condition: A-/B+
Linen backed: No

This vintage original poster was created by US Navy artist Matt Murphey and issued in 1941 to help promote recruiting for the United States Navy. Murphey renders an image of a US Navy destroyer escorting an aircraft carrier with text that reads:

Take The Wheel…steer a course for future success while serving your country in the United States Navy or the U.S. Naval Reserve

The lower margin indicates an 11-17-1941 production date, less than three weeks before the attack on Pearl Harbor and the subsequent American entry into WWII. The ship shown on the poster has a 440 hull number which makes it the USS Ericsson, a Gleaves-class destroyer commissioned for service with the US Navy in March 1941. The USS Ericsson earned three battle stars during WWII while serving as a convey escort and in the Operation Torch and Operation Dragoon amphibious invasions of North Africa and Southern France. Murphey’s signature appears in print in the image.

The vintage original poster is free of tape or pinholes and retains the original strong colors. The poster has a crease in the upper margin not affecting the image area and some bumping and creasing on the edges most evident on the lower right edge. This poster looks great as is or basic linen backing could have this poster looking close to perfect.   Overall condition is very good.