c.1917 U.S. Marine Corps Be A Sea Soldier by Clarence F. Underwood WWI USMC

Date: c.1917
Artist: Underwood, Clarence F.  
Size (in): 40” x 30”
Size (cm): 101.6 x 76.2
Condition: B-
Linen backed: Yes

This vintage original WWI era United States Marine Corps recruiting poster was created by the prolific American illustrator Clarence F. Underwood.   For this poster Underwood renders an image of a seated Marine holding a rifle with bayonet on his hip and Navy ships passing behind bracketed by text that reads: 

U.S. MARINE – BE A SEA SOLDIER  

Underwood’s name is signed in print in the lower right corner of the image area.   In addition to creating WWI era posters for the United States government, Clarence F. Underwood also had a long career as a commercial illustrator producing over 40 covers for the Saturday Evening Post as well as other magazines and also worked a book illustrator.   

This vintage original poster has been professionally backed to linen with some touchup and small repairs as needed including a small area of replaced paper loss in the margin on the edge near the lower right corner.  Two tears on the top edge and one on the upper right edge have been skillfully repaired along with other small touchups as needed.  The poster displays nicely and overall condition is very good.