1942 U.S. Navy College Student Officer Recruiting McClelland Barclay WWII

Date: 1942
Artist: Barclay, McClelland
Size (in): 42” x 28”
Size (cm): 106.7 x 71.1
Condition: A-
Linen backed: No

This vintage original poster was created by the prolific American illustrator McClelland Barclay and issued in 1942, a few months after the United States entered WWII, to help recruit college students to serve as officers in the United States Navy.  Barclay renders an image of a resolute lantern-jawed naval officer holding binoculars as a naval war scene unfolds behind him bracketed by text that reads: 

FRESHMAN! SOPHMORES! NOW you can stay in college and become a NAVAL OFFICER – See Your Dean Or Nearest Navy Recruiting Station For Full Details 

The lower margin is printed “4-5-42” indicating the poster was issued in April 1942 a few months after the United States entered WWII.  This poster actually predates the hugely successful V-12 Navy College Training Program, a largescale WWII effort initiated in December 1942 that enrolled 125,000 college students in US Navy and Marine Corps officer training programs.  McClelland Barclay’s signature appears in print in the image. This vintage original poster has no tape of pinholes and is apparently unused showing only light handling wear.  The edges are lightly bumped in places and the poster shows slight toning from age. Overall condition is very good for this vintage original.