Red Cross Knit Knitting Sewing WWI Poster World War I WW1 Print

The2FunAdGuyz offer a new print of a tremendous World War I Red Cross civilian poster by W. T. Benda designed to encourage American women to knit vital clothing for members of the Army, Navy, and Marines in military service. Utilize this poster in the Home Decor of a den, library, game room, bar, pub, sewing or crafts room. These posters encouraging women to knit sox, scarves, sweaters, and other military clothing were of considerable strategic importance—particularly in the trenches of the European battlefields. The Red Cross furnished yarn and patterns—the women (and many men) furnished the labor. Because the textile mills converted to produce uniforms, the production of smaller clothing items stopped. At that point, the American Red Cross and its members went to work. Across the country, women made knitting and sewing needles the new tools of war. Because of poorly manufactured boots and the cold weather in the trenches, soldiers needed to wear two pair of socks at a time in order to prevent frostbite. Mittens with no trigger fingers, scarves, helmet covers, and Navy caps were just a few of the items knitted by the thousands. Sadly, garments needed to cover the wounds caused by amputation of limbs became essential.

In this beautiful portrait, W. T. Benda shows the classic beauty of a woman with a concerned look of someone whose husband, brother, father or friend was serving in the war.

HEADLINE: You Can Help.

CAPTION: American Red Cross.

ARTIST: W. (W?adys?aw) T. (Theodore) Benda (1873-1948) was a well-known Polish-American artist. He came to the United States from his native Germany in his mid twenties after studies in Vienna and Krakow. Among the popular magazines that used his works were Life, Vogue and Vanity Fair. His works in these magazines helped establish the “American Girl” look. We have other posters by him in our store. To see all Benda items Click Here. (Link to Benda.)

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, this 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.

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.

Image Size: 10.5 inches wide by 16.5 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.

AVAILABILITY: In Stock! – Ships Within 1 Business Day of cleared payment.

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