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Civilian World War 1 Venereal Disease PUBLIC HEALTH POSTER Soldier Eagle Print by Ernest Fuhr

Product Description

The2FunAdGuyz offer a new print of an early Patriotic Public Health poster produced by the United State government immediately after World War I.

This poster enlisted returning American soldiers in the fight against venereal diseases—particularly syphilis. Artist Ernest Fuhr created a young, wholesome-looking and very proud American Soldier with a bayoneted rifle by his side and an American eagle perched on his shoulder. At the young soldier’s feet are a group of German, or Hun as they were then called, helmets and behind the soldier an ashen crumbled building. The simple fact is that the near epidemic wave of venereal diseases, especially the fight against syphilis, was a major side effect of naļve young soldiers sent to war zones without education and without protection.

World War I, along with the military action against Poncho Villa on the border with Mexico, produced a series of widespread public health problems. In the Mexican action over 30% of the soldiers contracted the disease. In Europe, more than 383,000 soldiers were diagnosed with venereal diseases between April 1917 and December 1919 and the diseases cost seven million days of active duty. The official military policy was not to provide condoms to soldiers and soldiers who became infected faced court martial. So few soldiers reported the disease or asked for treatment. As a result, returning solders infected their wives and girlfriends.

HEADLINE: You kept fit and defeated the Hun - now set a high standard, a clean America!

CAPTION: Stamp Out Venereal Diseases.

ARTIST: Ernest Fuhr (1874-1933) was a popular illustrator of the period and this is classic patriotic art.

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: At the time World War I became an American War, the color poster was a dominant advertising form used to convey commercial messages for brand advertising. The development of stone lithography, first in Europe and then here in the United States allowed for the first method of producing cost effective color posters for advertising. By the late 1800s and early 1900s artist considered commercial posters worthy of their efforts. Naturally the lithographic process was adapted to military recruitment. The recruitment poster both recruited soldiers and simultaneously sold the war to a civilian population that had been wary of becoming involved in foreign wars. Dozens of America’s greatest artists joined in the effort.

ORIGINAL MEDIA: The H. C. Minor Lithographic Co., New York City, did the original lithograph, on which this print is based.

PAPER QUALITY: This new print is on a highest quality, acid-free, 100-pound glossy premium text paper that allows for maximum color brilliance and fidelity for older images.

AVAILABILITY: In Stock! – Usually Ships Within 1 Business Day.

Image Size: 10.5 inches wide by 15.25 inches high.

Paper Size: 11 inches wide by 17 inches high. This allows for a small border around the image for matting and framing. When matted, this format is perfect for a standard 16-inch x 20-inch frame, a manageable size for a wide variety of decorating purposes.

We have many more World War I posters, prints, photos and ads. To view them Click Here.

DECORATING USES: Difficult subject matter for decorating but it is an effective message and great artwork. Ideal for a public health agency or medical office. Of course college students perennially use it to decorate their dorm.

GIFT IDEAS: This poster will be an ideal gift for all collectors of public health memorabilia.

PLEASE NOTE, The watermark (The2FunAdGuyz) across the thumbnail does NOT appear on the item you will receive.

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