1942 God Help Me If This Is A Dud His Life Is In Your Hands Ordnance WWII

Date: 1942
Artist: Vickery, John
Size (in): 40” x 28.5”
Size (cm): 101.6 x 72.4
Condition: B+
Linen backed: No

This dramatic and rare WWII poster was created by Australian artist John Vickery for the United States Army Ordnance Department’s Keep ‘Em Shooting war bond promotion campaign in 1942.  A soldier reels back to sling a hand grenade at an unseen enemy with the caption God help me if this is a dud! HIS LIFE IS IN YOUR HANDS.

John Vickery was born in Bunyip, Victoria, Australia in 1906 and moved to New York City in 1936. Vickery is only Australian artist associated with the postwar New York School and the only Australian born artist commissioned by the United States government to produce a poster during WWII of which we are aware.

This vintage original poster retains strong color and has no tape or pinholes. The poster has a short tear of about two inches at the bottom center and a couple other short edge tears all without loss of paper. The poster has a small quarter inch nick off the margin on the bottom edge, moderate handling wear and slight creasing in spots. The poster displays beautifully with striking effect and overall condition is very good. This poster was issued folded and ships folded as issued.