c.1942 WWII Libres Four Freedoms Interamerican Affairs Herbert Bayer

Date: c.1942
Artist: Bayer, Herbert            
Size (in): 20” x 14.5”  
Size (cm): 50.8 x 37 
Condition: A-
Linen backed: No

This vintage original WWII era poster was designed by Austrian-American graphic designer and artist Herbert Bayer and issued by the United States Office for Inter-American Affairs.  This poster is a Spanish language Modernist style rendition of the “Four Freedoms” articulated by President Roosevelt in his famous January 6, 1941 State of the Union Address delivered less than a month after the attack on Pearl Harbor and the United States declaration of war on the Axis powers.   FDR’s Four Freedoms, including freedom of speech and religion and freedom from want and fear, became a rally cry and touchstone that Americans would return to throughout WWII as a reminder of the values for which they were fighting.  Norman Rockwell’s set of four posters posters for each of the Four Freedoms are among the most recognized and beloved American posters of the Second World War.   This Spanish language poster promoting the Four Freedoms was produced around the same time as Rockwell’s posters but was produced in far fewer numbers and is much hard to find.  

Herbert Bayer’s name is signed in print in the lower left corner of the poster and the lower margin is printed “Publicado par El Coordinador de Asuntos Interamericanos, Washington, E.U.A.” 

This vintage original poster is folded as issued and free of any tape or pinholes.   The poster shows light handling wear including some bumping to the edges most evident at the top center.  There was about an inch and half of separation on the center lateral fold line on the right edge which was stabilized with a small piece of easily removable acid free paper document repair tape applied to the back of the poster.  The original colors are retained.  The poster displays beautifully.  Overall condition is very good.