Original WWII Propaganda War Bonds Poster "Use a Pay Day During the War, to Buy a Pay Day after the War"

Item Details

A vintage offset lithographic World War II propaganda war bonds poster, titled Use a Pay Day During the War, to Buy a Pay Day after the War, published in 1943 by the U.S. Government Printing Office, as indicated by the fine print to the bottom edge. The image depicts a cartoon rendering of a working class American male receiving a paycheck and buying a war bond from jubilant men wearing black vests who sit behind windows. This piece is not framed, awaiting choice of presentation.
During World War II, $331 in War Bond sales could help produce one machine gun, one telephone, five steel helmets and nine tools. Known as debt securities for the purpose of financing military operations during wartime, the bonds yielded a 2.9% return after a 10-year maturity. Despite hardships during World War II, the United States Government asked all 134 million Americans to buy War Bonds, and many obliged. Americans could either purchase a War Bond for $18.75 or invest in 10-cent stamps saved in a booklet until the $18.75 total goal was reached, and a War Bond could be purchased. War Bonds propaganda posters such as this one were hung throughout workplaces, banks, department stores and groceries across the nation, and were one of many techniques used to avert the attention of working class Americans to the political and financial needs of the government during World War II.

Condition

- poster is creased throughout from previous folded storage. Light wear around edges.

Dimensions

Item #

16CIN308-317