| u0003_0004200_0000087 |
| Title | Buy United States Government War Savings Stamps |
| Creator | William Balfour Ker |
| Date | 1917 |
| Format | 30 x 40 in |
| Description | William Balfour Ker’s poster is an appeal on behalf of the United States Treasury to immigrant populations to support the war effort by purchasing War Savings Stamps. Costing between ten cents and five dollars, War Savings Stamps provided options to support the war depending on economic class. Because of their relative affordability, advertising for the stamps commonly targeted immigrants and young children. Ker’s image combines these two audiences into one sentimental image that is simplistic in terms of color, but brimming with subtle detail. A long, tight line of lower-class men and women dressed in culturally diverse attire is shown waiting to purchase stamps from Uncle Sam, who graciously tips his hat in appreciation. The attention of the viewer is guided downward by the looks of the people who have had their own attention captured by a cute toddler hoisting a miniature American flag. The patriotic child is positioned just slightly above the textual justification given for purchasing stamps, “Your money back with interest from the UNITED STATES TREASURY.” Thus, in addition to deploying emotional resources to persuade the audience, the poster also argues that purchasing stamps from the government is a sound financial investment. Posters are often judged by their ability to communicate quickly across physical distances, and while this poster loses its forcefulness the further away it is from the audience, those in close proximity to the image are rewarded with rich allusions and unexpected surprises. |
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