1942 It Can Happen Here General Electric WWII

Date: 1942
Artist: Unknown
Size (in): 28.5” x 21.5”
Size (cm): 72.4 x 54.6
Condition: B-
Linen backed: Yes

This vintage original and rare WWII poster was issued by General Electric in 1942 as part of the effort to motivate workers engaged in the manufacture of essential wartime materiel. A sinister Nazi dominatrix type figure with swastika emblazoned boots stands in a conquering pose over what appears to be an idled American factory. Fear can be a powerful motivator as this poster aptly proves. No workers are seen and no smoke bellows from the factory chimneys. Dark shadowing frames the image and adds gravity to the poster’s vital message – It Can Happen Here.

This rare poster is almost impossible to find and one of the most dire and ominous issued by General Electric during WWII. The poster has been professionally backed to linen. The poster was folded irregularly and a few jagged tears in the image area have been expertly repaired. The poster displays nicely and impactfully delivers a message as relevant today as when the poster was issued in 1942.