Description

PUBLICATION DETAILS: Halt the Hun. Buy U.S Government Bonds. Third Liberty Loan. Bottom right: Edwards & Deutsch Litho. Co. Chicago.  Lower left: Raleigh. Bottom left 4-A.19 ¾”w x 29”h.  Original color.
 
DESCRIPTION: Published by the firm Edwards & Deutsch, Chicago, circa 1917.  Originally painted by artist Henry Patrick Raleigh (1880-1944).  The poster features an American soldier stopping a German soldier (Hun) from injuring a woman and child cowering beneath him. There are flames in the background of this dramatic scene.  Countries at war create posters to cultivate a sense of national pride; others would encourage young men to volunteer for battle; still others would demonize opponents; this is one of the latte.
 
The woman kneeling on the battle ground has torn clothes, and her child is naked, perhaps almost dead. In despair she is looking up for help.
 
The German soldier is standing above the woman. He wears a German uniform, spiked helmet, and a German “Iron Cross” decoration. His rifle has a fixed bayonet. His right hand is clutching the woman.
 
The American soldier standing behind the German soldier is holding him back with his right hand.  His head is erect making him appear strong and heroic.  His is wearing an American uniform and helmet.  His left hand is clutching a sword.
 
HUN: The word “Hun” originally meant the nomadic people who built up an enormous empire in Europe (4th- 6th century). They were aggressive warriors and terrorized populations throughout Europe.  Hun became a synonym for barbarian, wild and uncivilized hoards. The word “Hun” was used to describe German soldiers during World War I.
 
LIBERTY BOND: A Liberty Bond was a war bond that was sold in the United States to support the allied cause in World War I. On April, 1918 the Third Liberty Loan offered $3 billion in bonds at 4.5 percent interest.
 
RALEIGH: After studying at the Mark Hopkins Art Institute during 1896-1901, Raleigh took his first job as a sketch artist for the San Francisco Examiner. His work soon attracted the attention of art directors and publishers who offered him better assignments. He moved to New York where he gradually progressed from newspapers to top magazines such as Vanity Fair, Harper’s Bazaar, Colliers and Saturday Evening Post. His trademark became his pictures of glittering parties and fashionable society life. He took time out to create patriotic posters during World War I.
 
CONDITION: Two three-inch long tears at the bottom.