1943 Greek War Relief Association Edward McKnight-Kauffer Greece WWII

Date: 1943
Artist: Kauffer, Edwin McKnight                  
Size (in): 31” x 22”  
Size (cm): 78.7 x 55.9 
Condition: A- 
Linen backed: No 

This vintage original and rare WWII poster was created by prolific poster artist Edward McKnight Kauffer and issued by the Greek War Relief Agency, Inc. which was a member agency of the National War Fund dedicated to providing relief to war ravaged Greece. This poster features Kauffer’s familiar Modernist design style and shows the image of a stoic woman holding a sword against a background formed of a stylized national flag of Greece. 

Greek language text on the poster, ΧΑΙΡΕΤΕ ΝΙΚΩΜΕΝ, translates to “Rejoice, We Conquer”.  According to legend these were the final words of Pheidippides, the Athenian courier who ran from the battlefield of Marathon to Athens to announce the 490 B.C. Greek victory over the Persians before collapsing and dying. This stirring image draws a parallel between ancient Greek resistance to the Persian invasion and the WWII era Greek resistance to Axis occupation.    

American-born Kauffer’s long career in graphic design began in Great Britain where his clients included the London Underground and the Shell Oil Company among others. At the outbreak of the Second World War Kauffer returned to the United States where his skill as a poster designer was deployed in support of the Allied cause. 

This beautiful poster is free or tape or pinholes and shows light handling wear including slght creases in the image area and modest toning from age.  There is what looks like a dusty palm print on the back of the poster which doesn’t show on the front side.  Kauffer’s name is signed in print in the image on the right side and an Allied Printing Trades union made emblem is printed on the lower right corner.  Overall condition is very good for this vintage WWII era original.