"For their future" Poster - Center for Security Policy

During World War II public relations specialists advised the U.S. Government that the most effective war posters were the ones that appealed to the emotions. The 1943 War Bonds poster shown here played on the public’s desire to keep their loved ones safe. It was created by the U.S. Treasury Department.

A study of commercial posters undertaken by the U.S. Government found that images of women and children in danger were effective emotional devices. Early Canadian posters were used as part of the study and served as a models for American posters, that adopted a similar visual themes.

In the enlarged view you can note how the blonde woman is dressed in a blue shirt with a red and white striped skirt, and her child is dress in all white. With a blue sky, and peaceful clouds behind them, they both look down at a black toy lamb that has a flower wreath around its head. Together all these elements make for a very effective image.

The frame border simulates that of a family portrait, making it the poster all the more intimate and personal.

The artist who created this image is unknown. The

The artist signature: Munsett?

picture is signed, but research into the name can not establish for certain the artist. In fact there is not even consensus as to the name inscribed on the poster. The Center has found the artist listed as Mussert, Muncell and Munsett by different art dealers, university digital libraries, and WW II poster art collections.