Summary: This rare lithograph from WW2 depicts the Red Cross War Fund of 1943. The poster is securely preserved in a plastic wrapping on top of a foam-like base, to protect the poster from wear and aging. The dimensions below include measurements for both the poster and foam-like base (total length and width). The folds on the poster give hints to its usage, and allow for the scrutinous collector to investigate further (if anyone needs measurements from fold to fold, please message me). The artwork portrays a nurse gesturing towards the war-torn/victims of war. By showing a nurse gesturing towards you, and the victims of war, the image successfully advertises the Red Cross War fund of 1943 in terms of its deployment overseas (Europe). The lithograph is an original piece and has been signed by Lawrence Wilbur. The piece is a valuable addition to any militaria collection and serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made during the war. It was manufactured in the United States and is a genuine period item from the 1939-45 era. The lithograph is in excellent condition and has been well-preserved.
Text on the poster:
The Greatest Mother in the World
Lawrence Wilbur
War Fund 1943
Litho. In the U.S.A.
Condition: The poster remarkably possesses no structural damage (punctures, missing pieces, tares, etc), but does feature the previous fold lines of its original packaging. The corners of the poster remain well-intact, with the bottom right corner being folded slightly. The wear on the poster is bare-minimum, and the overall condition is wonderful!
Dimensions:
Poster & Background: Length: 22 in, & Width: 17 in.
Poster Standalone: Length: 19.85 in, & Width: 14.5 in.
History: By the nature of the war fund of 1943, I am confident to date this collectible to 1943, and by earlier than 1942. As mentioned below, the 1942 roll call for the Red Cross was canceled and pushed to 1943. By 1943, the entire month of March was named the "red cross month" in hope to raise $125 million. In context to the historical facts above, the poster was likely produced no earlier than 1942, but not later than 1943. I confidently date the antique to 1943, around the months of January-April.
The Red Cross & The War Fund/s: The Red Cross during the second world war used roll calls as to provide relief up till 1943 (ref. 1). As greater financial demands were required, the Red Cross implemented a War Fund Drive and successfully took in $66 million by 1942 (ref. 1). By 1942, the Red Cross decided to cancel its Roll Call and wait till 1943, due to the discussions with the president in forming a uni-joint fund (ref. 1 & 2). On July 25th of 1942, president Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9206 which moved foreign relief from state boards to the president's war relief control board (ref. 2). Also in 1942, the red cross asked the American Federation of Labor and the Congress of industrial Organizations to have common instead of indepent relief campaigns, as to facilitate funds and logistics easier (ref. 2). With the successful attempts, between the chairman of the Red Cross and president Roosevelt, the whole month of March of 1943 was declared the "Red Cross Month '', with the goal of $125 million demanded (ref. 1). Starting in February of 1943, the national war fund was founded as a joint financing appeal for various services within the government being the USO, and others alike (ref. 2). The purpose of the joint fund of 1943 was to avoid confusion and competition which had risen as the relief fundraising market took foot (ref. 2). The fund allowed only one agency for any given overseas country or function, and banned member organizations from doing drives of their own (ref. 2). About 19 national and 12 local service organizations (including the red cross) pooled their efforts during the war and aftermath to apply relief (ref. 2). The fund was liquidated in April of 1948 (ref. 2).
With the need to captivate the minds of the people as to raise the funds demanded for the war effort, the Red Cross employed various talented artists and marketing savants to whom a large share of the success in the campaigns can be attributed to. Advertisements and marketing campaigns were released throughout the states to raise the funds required by the war and relief processes. Of the many artists employed by the Red Cross, the works of Printmaker and Painter Lawrence Nelson Wilbur of Whitman, Massachusetts are featured greatly (ref. 3). Being that this is a lithograph, and not a painting, we can assume this is one of the 'copied' versions which were mass produced for advertisement. Lithography technologies were first 'invented' in 1796, and use the immiscibility of oil and water for printing (ref. 4). A similar example of a lithograph by Lawrence Nelson Wilbur exists in reference 5. The original painting by Lawrence Nelson Wilbur which was lithographically mass produced/printed for the Red Cross war fund of 1943 is present on reference 6.
Uniqueness: Being of the year of the unification of the war relief funds, or the establishment of the joint war relief fund, this advertisement serves as one of the many 'first year edition' examples seen throughout the market. Featuring a nurse "reminisce of a poster from world war 1"(ref. 6), this poster uniquely captures the artistic geniusness of Lawrence Nelson Wilbur, as the nurse gestures both to the viewer and the crowd of victims of war as to generate a message of need for support to a giving/caring (nurse) cause. Being well preserved and contained within the plastic wrap, this print remains in extremely good condition.
Important: Shipping includes packaging and shipment fees. Offering a 30-day return period, and open to negotiations on matters of price. Please reach out to me if you're interested in receiving more information or photos of the antique. Shipments will be sent out upon payments. Measurements can be rough and of human error, if you'd like a re-measurement for clarity purposes please message me. IMPORTANT: Please make sure the right address is sent to me, I will verify this in an email before I ship to you.
References:
1. https://redcrosschat.org/2013/03/01/from-the-archives-7/
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_War_Fund
3. https://brierhillgallery.com/lawrence-nelson-wilbur-1897-1988
4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithography
5. https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/poster-by-lawrence-wilbur-american-junior-red-cro-%20%20%20%20726-c-dd9c1f09a6
6. https://collections.digitalmaryland.org/digital/collection/mdwp/id/84