WWI Posters

[bigscoop]

Helping the parents pack for Florida, ran into these today in dad's den, had nearly forgotten all about them. My grandfather brought these back from France, I remember they are both marked 0001 on the back with the artist name but I can't recall it right now. As I recall the story on these, these posters never went into print because the war had ended so I have no idea what they may, or may not, be worth? Just a little piece of past American history that never made it's way into the public eye, they're kind of neat so I thought I'd pass a picture of them along. Maybe some of you war poster buffs can tell me more about them?

 

[creeper71]

I'm very sure there worth a fortune... even tho they never was used they we're still printed so you may have something people heard as rumoured as being printed but never seen.... You need to find the top of the line experts an send photos to them... if they want to see inperson..either you drive to them or they drive to you NEVER LET THE PRINTS OUT OF YOUR SIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[goldencoin]

Stunning...

HH
-GC

 

[theseeker]

Those are beautiful!! Thanks for sharing them with us. If they were not mass produced, you can bet they are worth some CHINGGG ! (Thats the sound of the cash register not the sound of coins rattling around in your pocket)

 

[GopherDaGold]

Even mass produced ephemera can be worth big bucks since most items were made to use then throw away. It's a pretty safe bet that there aren't too many of those posters left in that condition.

The bottom poster is probably going to be more valuable than the top since the rifles and swords are more in the forefront and more visible. That's what collectors want to see.

If they were mine I would re-frame them so the entire poster is visible. Acid free materials of course.

 

[acevillav]

Great pics ! Here are some things you should do. 1. keep them in a cool dry place out of direct sunlight. 2. Take them to a professional antique appraiser or auction house and get a written appraisal for insurance purposes. 3. Find out if they are mounted on acid free paper. WTG on saving those treasures

Ace Villa-v

 

[daroofa]

Nice finds. There was another like the top one sold, but it's listed on of those "pay to see the results of the auction" sites.

"A full color rotogravure print, "Making the World Safe for Democracy". "Carrying the World to Victory". Copyright 1918 by D. H. Johnson, Oak Park, Illinois. Depicting Uncle Sam with portraits of President Wilson and General Pershing with marching soldiers/flags/globe etc."

Link

 

[DMN]

Check the link: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/appraisers/lowry_nicholas.html.
I've seen him do quite a number of appraisals of posters for The Antiques Roadshow. It may be possible for him or his company to help you in accurate pricing or insurance valuation.

 

[{Sentinel}]

WOW!!!!! THOSE ARE TERRIFIC and in EMACULATE SHAPE!!!!!!!!! YOU have some very valuable pieces of Americana right there! Cherish those because if they were mine, I'd probably never sell them.....However, if you do, I'm sure you will get a VERY PRETTY PENNY!!

 

[bigscoop]

Thanks to all! Right now I'm just too busy trying to pack and meet the moving deadline, but once that's done I'll see what I can find out about the posters. I can tell you that my mother had them "professionally" framed a long time ago and that the frames are sealed and that they have always been kept under low light and out of the sun light. However, during this "professional" framing the "not-so-professional" individual pasted them to a hard backing. But they still look brand new and the signed corners were left free (not pasted) from the backing. As soon as this move is over and things settle down I'll check with some people to see what I can find out and I'll let you all know what the outcome is. Thanks again for all the input!
Scoop

 

[Steve in Michigan]

Hey Bigscoop,

You may want to get those checked out. I saw these same posters on the TV show American Pickers and they said they were fake. I guess the originals had paper that were really thin and were made to be thrown away. The paper should be like newspaper thin. If its thicker, then they could be fake. I hope for your sake that they are real.

Your Friend,

Steve in Michigan

 

[colorado14ers]

i would just die to have a historic piece of Americana like those. I have a old original metal sign from my great grandfathers oil business hanging in my room, you should do the same. Never sell them!! keep them in the family