"Keep Him Free" Vintage WWI War Savings Stamps Poster by Charles Livingston Bull, 1917

Presented is a stunning WWI War Savings Stamps poster designed by the Charles Livingston Bull. This poster was published by Ketterlinus in 1917 to promote the U.S. Treasury Liberty Loan program. It features a striking, larger-than-life bald eagle at center, with numerous biplanes flying from his nest. The poster reads, “Keep Him Free” in bold red letters at the top. The bottom caption reads “Buy War Savings Stamps. Issued by the United States Treasury Dept” in green and black. At bottom center is a yellow “W.S.S. War Savings Stamps " logo, indicating that the poster was issued by the United States Government. Charles Livingston Bull’s signature appears printed in the lithographic stone at bottom left. 

Each of the four Liberty Loan campaigns (two in 1917, two in 1918) and the Victory Loan campaign of early 1919 aimed for rapid subscription in the loan and bond programs, to generate quick funding of the war effort. Subscribing to the bonds became a symbol of patriotic duty in the United States and introduced the idea of financial securities to many citizens for the first time. Working Americans would buy these savings stamps, to then trade in for smaller denominations of bonds, which at the end of the war would be repaid with interest.

Consequently, there was an outpouring of poster art on both the local and national levels for these loan programs, including this particular poster. Famous artists and illustrators were hired to design these attention-grabbing posters, like Charles Livingston Bull. 

Charles Livingston Bull (1874-1932) was a prolific illustrator from Rochester, New York, Known chiefly as an animal and wildlife illustrator, Bull literally drew from his experience as a taxidermist at the National Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C. Throughout the early 1900s, his work appeared regularly in magazines like Saturday Evening Post, Ladies Home Journal, and Boy’s Life. He also had illustrations in over 125 books, including those by such authors as Jack London, Frank Baum, and Rudyard Kipling. One of his best-known images, that of a leaping tiger, was commissioned in 1920 by Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey for a circus poster. During WWI, Bull  produced a number of animal-themed posters during WWI, including this epic eagle poster, as well as other works for the Treasury Department and the Food Administration. 

CONDITION: 

Very good condition. The color is vibrant and strong. Signed in the lithographic stone, bottom left. Issued by the United States Treasury Dept., 1917, Ketterlinus, Phila. Paper is very healthy, save a small, closed tear on the side. Margins are lightly toned. Unframed Dimensions: 30” H x 20” W. 

Poster is framed to archival standards, in a custom built black wooden frame with UV conservation clear glass and acid-free backing. 

Framed Dimensions: 32 1/2"H x 22 5/8"W x 1 1/8"D. 

Accompanied by our company's letter of authenticity.