c.1918 WWI Illinois Seed Corn Administration Poster by John Tinney McCutcheon Cartoonist

Date: c.1918
Artist: McCutcheonm John Tinney
Size (in): 28.25 x 21
Size (cm): 71.75 x 53.5
Condition: B
Linen backed: No

This vintage original and rare poster was created for the Illinois State Defense Council and the Illinois Seed Corn Administration by John Tinney McCutcheon who is most remembered today as the “Dean of American Cartoonists”.

McCutcheon graduated from Purdue University and joined the staff of the Chicago Tribune in 1903. His political cartoons appeared in the Chicago Tribune, usually on the front page, almost every day for more than 40 years until his retired in 1943. This WWI era poster features an image of Uncle Sam giving sagely advice to an Illinois farmer about the importance of testing seed corn and following the best practices advocated by the State’s agricultural extension service and gives the dire warning “The seed corn situation is the worst in the history of the state.” E.D. Funk of the famous pioneering Illinois seed corn company is listed as Chairman of the Illinois Seed Corn Administration Advisory Committee.

McCutcheon’s signature appears in the lower right hand corner of the image. This poster is a vintage original which has a single lateral and vertical crease from having been folded. A few small archival repairs have been made on the verso to short tears on the top edge. The poster has some toning from age and moderate handling wear and still displays beautifully with bold color.