Western Winchester Deer poster – Wiemer Purcell – 1955
This stunning Western Winchester Deer poster was created by Weimer Purcell. The American-born artist’s earlier designs for the 1933 and 1933 Chicago World Fairs, his poster advertising New York for American Airlines, and his World War II propaganda posters “Keep ’em coming and coming right” and “When you ride alone you ride with Hitler” had already established him as a celebrated figure in the world of art and advertising.
In the mid-1950s, Pursell received a commission from the Western Winchester company. The company was the result of a merger between two of America’s oldest and most esteemed arms and ammunition manufacturers: the Winchester Repeating Arms Company and the Western Cartridge Company.
Pursell’s task was to create a series of four hunting posters targeted at the vast hunting and shooting community in America. Each Western Winchester poster portrays an animal in its natural habitat, being pursued by a skilled hunter armed with a rifle. The collection features captivating images of a rabbit, squirrel, pheasant, and, of course, the one we are currently exploring, the deer.
This vintage advertising poster exhibits a mesmerising scene of a white-tailed deer gracefully leaping over a large rock formation in the heart of the great American countryside. Against a warm, yellow-orange evening sky, the stag soars through the air, depicting a moment of surprise and agility. The startled deer has taken flight, having sensed the presence of the hunter in the bottom right-hand corner of the artwork.
The white-tailed deer, also known as the Virginia deer, holds the unenviable title of being the No. 1 game animal in the United States. With their widespread presence and abundance, white-tailed deer have become an accessible and acceptable target for hunters throughout North America. These majestic creatures thrive in various habitats, from dense forests to open fields and even suburban areas, making them an appealing challenge for hunting enthusiasts.
The fascination for hunting white-tailed deer is multifaceted and deeply ingrained in the cultural, recreational, and conservation values of many communities across North America.To some it is simply a sport or hobby but to many people it is a food source for locals. Other see it as a way to connect with nature, contribute to conservation efforts, and carry on time-honored traditions.
While the sport of deer hunting is not without controversy, its popularity remains undeterred. In 2020 alone, nearly 11.5 million people were drawn to this pastime, despite calls for its outright ban. During legal hunting seasons, approximately 6 million white-tailed deer are harvested each year. The hunting seasons typically commence in September and extend until December, varying across states. Some states open as early as September, while others may wait until October or November, with the seasons lasting until January, depending on the region.
The Western Winchester Deer poster, with its artistic allure and representation of the revered white-tailed deer, serves as both a tribute to American hunting heritage and a testament to the enduring fascination with this age-old pursuit.
The Winchester Repeating Arms Company
The Winchester Repeating Arms Company was originally founded as the New Haven Arms Company in 1855 by Oliver F. Winchester. It later became the Winchester Repeating Arms Company in 1866. The company was renowned for its iconic lever-action rifles, including models like the Winchester Model 1866, Model 1873, and Model 1894, among others. These firearms became popular during the American expansion into the western frontier and were widely used in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The Western Cartridge Company
The Western Cartridge Company was founded in 1898 in East Alton, Illinois. It was originally formed by a group of investors who saw the potential in producing metallic ammunition for firearms. The company soon became known for its innovations in ammunition manufacturing, particularly in the development of centerfire metallic cartridges. These cartridges were more reliable, efficient, and safer than the earlier rimfire cartridges, leading to their widespread adoption in firearms. One of the company’s significant contributions was transitioning from rimfire to centerfire cartridges. Centerfire cartridges allowed for more powerful and versatile ammunition, making them suitable for various firearms, including rifles, handguns, and shotguns. During the two World Wars, the Western Cartridge Company played a vital role in supplying ammunition for the military. The company’s contribution to the war effort further solidified its reputation as a major player in the ammunition industry.
The Winchester Western Company
In 1931, the Winchester Repeating Arms Company merged with the Western Cartridge Company, consolidating the manufacturing of firearms and ammunition under one corporate entity. The combined company was known as the Winchester-Western Company and continued to produce firearms and ammunition for the civilian and military markets.
In 1935, Franklin W. Olin, the founder of the Olin Corporation, acquired the Winchester-Western Company. The Olin Corporation was already involved in various chemical and munitions-related businesses. With the acquisition of Winchester-Western, the Olin Corporation became a major player in the firearms and ammunition industry. The name of the company was later changed to the Winchester-Western Division of the Olin Corporation.
The Olin Corporation continued to produce firearms and ammunition under the Winchester brand, maintaining its reputation for quality and innovation. The company became one of the leading suppliers of ammunition to the U.S. military during World War II and subsequent conflicts.
Western Winchester Poster by Weimer Pursell – 1955
