I Want You For US Army – Montgomery Flagg – 1917

James Montgomery Flagg was one of America’s leading illustrators. His illustrations were in Photoplay, McClure’s Magazine, Collier’s Weekly, Ladies’ Home Journal, Cosmopolitan, Saturday Evening Post and Harper’s Weekly.

In 1917, shortly after America’s declaration of war against Germany, Flagg composed a drawing for the United States Army‘s recruitment campaign. It featured the now familiar, stern-faced Uncle Sam pointing out with his finger, eyes glaring directly at the viewer with the caption “I Want You for the U.S. Army”  in bold red and blue capital letters. Four million copies of the poster were quickly printed and plastered onto walls and signposts from Maine to California and within a matter of weeks, just about every American citizen had seen it.

During the First World War  Flagg designed 46 posters for the government but this US recruitment poster is by far his most famous work. In 2019, anoriginal copy of this poster was listed with a guiude price of $5000-$7000.

Our posters are carefully and professionally created from vintage originals. Whilst great care is taken in the production of these posters, we also try to maintain a vintage feel, so there may be small imperfections, fold marks, scuffs, tears or marks that were part of the original poster master. If these do appear they should be visible on the larger views of the item on this listing. The originals of many of the posters we offer can cost many thousands of pounds, so whilst these posters look great, especially framed and mounted on a wall, they are intended as a fun, affordable reproductions and not intended fine art prints.

The 50x70cm version has been specially produced to be used in conjunction with Ikea’s 50x70cm Ribba picture frame which currently retails for around £12. So you can bag a print and frame for a great price.