In 1917, the Imperial War Museum (IWM) was founded in London to honor victims of World War I. Author James Aulich introduces L.R. Bradley, Keeper of War Publicity at the IWM in 1917, in the introduction to War Posters. Bradley began a collection of war publicity paraphernalia—advertisements, postcards, cartoons—that, in time, would grow to be the most comprehensive collection of its kind.The posters from this collection are documented here with over 300 illustrations. The book is a great collection of images and is paired with insightful texts that discuss the work’s importance in context as well as its part in a history of propaganda poster making. The posters focus on World War I and World Word II, however some of the most provoking works are part of a discussion on the current war in Iraq and include picket signs and outdoor installations along with posters. Images from the late ‘60s and ‘70s include a poster of Nixon made by two Mad Magazine contributors, as well as a poignant poster showing a young man burning a piece of paper above the bold text, “FUCK THE DRAFT.”
-Chris Force
WAR POSTERS: Weapons of Mass Communication
James Aulich
Hardcover, 256 pages
$40, Thames & Hudson