c.1918 They Kept The Sea Lanes Open Victory Liberty Loan Leon Alaric Shafer WWI

Date: c.1918
Artist: Shafer, Leon Alaric
Size (in): 39” x 29”
Size (cm): 99 x 73.5
Condition: A-
Linen backed: Yes

This powerfully dramatic poster was created by Leon Alaric Shafer to support the Victory Liberty Loan which was the fifth and final of the Liberty Loans issued to finance American involvement in World War One. Shafer captures the tense moment a German U-boat surrenders to an US Navy destroyer as a massive troop ship passes behind. Shafer reminds us that “They Kept The Sea Lanes Open” with a caption in the upper right hand corner of the image. The lower margin is titled INVEST IN THE VICTORY LIBERTY LOAN and indicates the poster was produced by W.F. Powers Company of New York.

This poster is a vintage original in excellent condition and has been professionally backed to linen.  Prior to linen backing the poster looked unused with no tape or pinholes and just a short tear of less than a half an inch in the margin on the right edge which was expertly repaired during the linen backing process.  The poster retains the original colors and overall condition is excellent.