Travel? adventure? answer - join the Marines! [graphic] : enlist to-day for 2-3 or 4 years / James Montgomery Flagg

Author:: Flagg, James Montgomery, 1877-1960
Published:: [United States] : [U.S. Marine Corps Recruiting Service?], [1917]
Physical Description:: 1 photomechanical print (poster) : lithograph, color ; 101 x 77 cm
Additional Creators:: U.S. Marine Corps Recruiting Service

Online Version

collection1.libraries.psu.edu , Digital image at Penn State

Related Resources

www.loc.gov , Digitized collection information at the Library of Congress

Availability

Finding items...

Restrictions on Access:

Unrestricted access.

Summary:

The poster depicts a smiling U.S. Marine holding a rifle with a fixed bayonet riding backwards on a snarling spotted panther or jaguar. The portrayal of a fierce jaguar here is perhaps intended to be analogous to "Black Tom"--the U.S. Tank Corps' wild tomcat mascot featured in its recruitment posters of the same period. The jaguar is the largest of the predatory cats native to the Western Hemisphere and its range is known to have extended into portions of the United States until only very recently.

Subject(s):

Collection:

World War I poster collection.

Note:

"RCTG. 87."
Recruiting station address printed in bottom margin: "Tribune building, Providence, R. I."

Other Forms:

Also available online.

Terms of Use and Reproduction:

No known restrictions on publication. For information see "World War I Posters" (http://lcweb.loc.gov/rr/print/res/243_wwipos.html)

Source of Acquisition:

Rare Books copy: Gift of Louis F. Peck, Professor of English, 1965.

Administrative History:

World War I began as a conflict between the Allies (France, the United Kingdom, and Russia) and the Central Powers (Germany and Austria-Hungary). The assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand, the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary and his wife Sophie ignited the war in 1914. Italy joined the Allies in 1915, followed by the United States in 1917. A ceasefire was declared at 11 AM on 11 November 1918. The poster was a major tool for broad dissemination of information during the war. Countries on both sides of the conflict distributed posters widely to garner support, urge action, and boost morale.
The United States Marine Corps had a deep and experienced pool of officers and non-commissioned officers at the outset of World War I, and recruited vigorously to increase their numbers. The Corps distinguished themselves throughout the war, notably at the savage Battle of Bellau Wood, earning a reputation for tenacity and toughness and the respect of the German soldiers.
James Montgomery Flagg was an American artist and illustrator. In addition to magazine illustrations, Flagg is best known for his recruiting posters of World War I. His most famous poster was the 1917 "I Want YOU for U.S. Army" poster featuring "Uncle Sam" pointing at the viewer, using his own face as the model for Uncle Sam.

View MARC record | catkey: 8401451