1943 Stamp Out Black Markets…With Your Ration Stamps WWII

Date: 1943
Artist: Unknown  
Size (in): 27” x 21”
Size (cm): 68.5 x 53.5
Condition: B
Linen backed: No 

This vintage original poster was issued in 1943 to promote the use of United States government issued ration stamps and to combat Black Market profiteering.  This poster features the image of a ghoulish green rogue black marketeer being crushed by a giant thumb pressing down on a ration station with text that reads: 

Stamp Out BLACK MARKETS…With Your Ration Stamps – Pay No More Than Legal Prices 

While the overwhelming majority of Americans supported the war effort many did not as readily accept the government mandated wartime rationing and price controls which led to flourishing black markets for many commodities.  The wartime Office of Price Administration (OPA) hired more than 3,000 field investigators and took primary responsibility of combating black markets on the American Home Front.  

This vintage original poster is folded as issued and is free of tape of pinholes.   This poster had partial separation on the fold lines in places which has been repaired with the application of several pieces of acid free archivally sound and removeable document repair tissue to the back of the poster.   When laid flat or framed the fold line separations are virtually indiscernible and the poster looks great.