c.1917 On The Job For Victory United States Shipping Board WWI Jonas Lie

Date: c.1917
Artist: Lie, Jonas 
Size (in): 55.25” x 39.5”
Size (cm): 140.3 x 100.3
Condition: B
Linen backed: No

This vintage original poster, created by Norwegian born American artist Jonas Lie, was issued by the United States Shipping Board and Emergency Fleet Corporation shortly after the American entry into the First World War. The Emergency Fleet Corporation was established in April 1917 shortly after the United States entered WWI to acquire, maintain and operate merchant ships for the cause of national defense.  

For this poster Lie renders an image of a bustling shipyard as a beehive of activity with towering cranes and an army of workers busily assembling ships.  American and United States Shipping Board flags are seen at the center of the image to make it a testimony of the nation’s industrial might.  The lower right corner is printed “W.F. Powers Co., Litho. N.Y.” to indicate the printer.   

This poster has been professionally backed to linen.   A couple tears on the left edge without paper loss have been expertly repaired during the linen backing process and a small notch off the upper margin not affecting the image area has been discretely replaced. The poster retains its original colors and displays beautifully.  Overall condition is very good for this original antique.