Alfred Everitt Orr designed and painted this poster. He uses patriotic red, white, and blue to emphasize the scene in the poster. The poster appealed to prospective viewers’ patriotism and love of home and country. The happy family that the poster depicts is of a battle-worn soldier returning home to his son and wife. The proud wife is feeling his distinguished service medal. This depiction was the hope that all families had for their returning fathers and husbands.
The Treasury Department expected these emotions would be enough to sell thousands of bonds throughout the United States. These bond posters were printed and sent for display throughout the U.S. to schools, government buildings, community buildings, stores, and libraries The poster is filled with patriotic imagery for the Victory Liberty Loan campaign of 1918. In 1917 and 1918, to bring in money for the country’s war efforts, the Treasury of the United States released four separate Liberty bonds. The bonds would yield three to four percent interest after a ten-year maturity to encourage people to buy them. As a campaign to sell the Bonds, Treasury Secretary, William McAdoo, recruited movie stars, artists, and Boy Scouts to support the effort. The propaganda campaign created a range of information and propaganda, such as this poster.
View an Original at Maine Military Museum and Learning Center