c.1917 Wireless Fans Help The Navy Get The Hun Submarine Charles Buckles Falls WWI

Date: c.1917
Artist: Falls, Charles Buckles  
Size (in): 43.25” x 27.875”
Size (cm): 109.9 x 70.8
Condition: B
Linen backed: Yes 

This rare poster was created by the artist Charles Buckles Falls to help recruit enthusiasts of nascent wireless communications technology to serve in the United States Navy during WWI.   The poster features an image of a US Navy wireless operator raising his fist in a celebratory manner with text that reads: 

You, Wireless Fans, Help The Navy Get The Hun Submarine 1000 Radio Men Wanted In The Navy And The Naval Reserve Apply At 280 Broadway Or Any Recruiting Station 

The United States Navy established a wireless operator school in 1903 and began equipping ships and shore stations around that time.   Amateur wireless and radio experimentation became a nationally popular hobby in the years leading up to WWI and it was to this audience of wireless enthusiast that the US Navy first turned to for recruits.  At the time this poster was printed in 1917 or 1918 most Americans still did not own a radio and technology was rapidly expanding but still primitive.       

This vintage original poster has been professionally linen backed with expert touchups and small repairs as needed.   Some tape was removed from the back of the poster and neutralized prior to line backing.   The poster showed some wear on the fold lines, a few short tears on the edges and longer tear at the bottom edge all of which have been addressed and expertly rectified during the linen backing process.  The colors retain their original vibrancy and the poster displays very well.  Overall condition is very good.