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Propaganda Poster Collection, 1914-1996

Overview of the Collection

Title
Propaganda Poster Collection
Dates
1914-1996 (inclusive)
bulk 1914-1945 (bulk)
Quantity
8 Oversize drawers, (517 Items)
Collection Number
SC 005 (collection)
Summary
This collection contains 517 posters, most issued by governments to influence behavior and public morale. Most items are from the period beginning with the start of World War I and concluding with the end of World War II.
Repository
Washington State University Libraries' Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections (MASC)
Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections
Terrell Library Suite 12
Pullman, WA
99164-5610
Telephone: 509-335-6691
mascref@wsu.edu
Access Restrictions

This collection is open and available for research use.

Languages
English mostly, Russian, Spanish, Polish, Italian, French
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Historical Note

Prior to the advent of broadcast radio and television, governments looked to other media to communicate information to their citizens. One of the most eye-catching formats is the propaganda poster, the use of which peaked during World War I and remained pervasive through World War II. The U.S. government alone produced an estimated 20,000,000 copies of more than 2,500 distinct posters during the First World War. Through these "weapons on the wall," governments persuaded their citizens to participate in a variety of patriotic functions, from purchasing war bonds to conserving scarce resources. These posters also strengthened public support for the wars by providing "message control" about the government's allies and enemies.

Many terms historically used to describe individuals and communities with disabilities are offensive and were used to dismiss, discount and dehumanize these individuals and communities. Terms often focused on a perceived impairment and not the person. MASC recognizes the harm caused by these terms. We retain the language in this finding aid to document history and preserve context.

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Content Description

This collection contains 517 posters, most issued by governments to influence behavior and public morale. Most items are from the period beginning with the start of World War I and concluding with the end of World War II.

The posters found here were collected by the Washington State University Libraries, dating back into the 1910s. They became part of the College's War Library, a collection established in 1937-1938, consisting of rare books, pamphlets, posters, and other ephemera. The collection continued to grow through donations from various sources. In 2009, approximately 300 posters were assembled into this collection. In 2013, approximately 200 more posters were added to the collection. Dating largely from World War II and post-World War II, most of the added posters are in French and are directed toward Parisians, announcing war updates and requesting public action. The additions also include United States World War I and World War II posters, and Russian post-World War I posters.

Poster titles were transcribed from the item, where no title was available, one was created by the collection processors, Amy Sabourin and Morgan Clendenning, and is shown in brackets.

English translations were supplied by collection processor, Amy Sabourin.

Series 1: Propaganda Posters (Russia, South America, Europe, Canada), 1914-1996

Subseries 1.1: Russian Language Posters, 1917-1996

Subseries 1.2: South American Posters, World War I, 1914-1918

Subseries 1.3: European Posters, World War I, 1914-1918

Subseries 1.4: Canadian Posters, World War I, circa 1914-1918

Series 2: Propaganda Posters (United States), World War I, circa 1914-1920

Subseries 2.1: Food Conservation and Material Donations, 1914-1919

Subseries 2.2: Financial Aid: War Savings Stamps, 1914-1918

Subseries 2.3: Financial Aid: Red Cross, 1914-1918

Subseries 2.4: Financial Aid: War Bonds, 1914-1919

Subseries 2.5: Financial Aid: United War Work Campaign, Y.M.C.A, Y.W.C.A; 1914-1919

Series 3: Propaganda Posters (United States), World War II, 1939-1949

Subseries 3.1: Food and Resource Conservation, 1939-1945

Subseries 3.2: Financial Aid: War Bonds, 1939-1945

Subseries 3.3: Public Morale, 1942-1945

Subseries 3.4: Military Recruitment and Training Aids, 1939-1949

Subseries 3.5: Public Information and Safety, 1942-1944

Series 4: International Relations Propaganda Posters (United States and International), World War II, 1939-1945

Series 5: Propaganda Posters (France), World War II and Post World War II, 1939-1960

Subseries 5.1: French World War II, 1939-1945

Subseries 5.2: French Post-World War II, 1943-1955

Series 6: Miscellaneous, 1914-1990

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Use of the Collection

Alternative Forms Available

A digital collection containing all items, except number 94 (which was too large to scan), was created in January of 2013. This can be viewed as the Propaganda Poster Digital Collection.

Restrictions on Use

Copyright restrictions may apply.

Preferred Citation

[Item Description]

Propaganda Poster Collection, 1914-1996 (SC 005)

Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries, Pullman, WA.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in six series; three of these are further divided into subseries.

Location of Collection

(MASC STAFF USE) With the exception of one rolled item, these materials are located in map cases. One of the untitled Russian posters (sc005f03-012-11) is rolled, and stored at: MASC basement, 3:33.

Acquisition Information

The Washington State University Libraries acquired these posters from various sources during the 20th century. Approximately 300 posters were initially assembled into this collection in 2009. In 2013, a group of approximately 200 more posters were processed and integrated into the collection.

Processing Note

This collection was processed by Amy Sabourin in 2009 and, with the addition of 200 items, by Morgan Clendenning in 2013.

In 2022, in response to evolving standards regarding the language used to describe individuals and communities with disabilities, Gayle O’Hara added a Historical Note to this finding aid.

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Detailed Description of the Collection