Antique U.S. WWI Poster in Italian (1917) – approximately 28" x 20 1/2"

Description

1 x Antique American WWI Poster in Italian.
Year Created:
1917
Artist:
Illian, George, 1894-1932
Size:
approximately 28" x 20 1/2"
Printer:
Latham Lithograph & Printing Co., Brooklyn, NY
An American WWI poster issued by the United States Food Administration (Amministrazione dei Cibi Stati Uniti), which was run by the future president Herbert Hoover, and had the power to set wheat prices.
It also persuaded and coerced Americans to reduce domestic consumption of food while dramatically increasing the food supply—thereby, tripling America’s food exports to the American Expeditionary Force, France, England and Italy during the War.
In contrast, the Allied naval blockade of Germany caused food shortages among the German military and civilian population.
This poster’s artwork shows an Italian officer, who is most likely the Italian General and Marshal of Italy, Luigi Cadorna—most famous for being the Chief of Staff of the Italian Army during the first part of World War I and for leading the defeat at Caporetto, which almost lost the entire war for Italy. (See photo below).
[Photo not part of sale.]
Initially, Italy was an ally of Germany, but refused to fight when war broke out in 1914.
In 1915, Italy joined the war on the side of France and Britain and therefore the U.S. when it joined the war in 1917.
This poster was used in the Italian speaking sections of New York and other major U.S. cities.
L’ITALIA
HA BISOGNO
di
Carne-frumento-grasso & zucchero
Mangiate poco di questo cibo perche deve andare al nostro popolo, e le truppe d’ITALIA
AMMINISTRAZIONE DI CIBI STATI UNITI
Translation:
ITALY
NEEDS
Meat-wheat-fat & sugar
Eat little of this food because it must go to our people, and the troops of ITALY
UNITED STATES FOOD ADMINISTRATION
OLD condition - some yellowing - rips along the edges - starting to rip down the top center and bottom center due to age and delicate condition of paper - perfect for framing - please see photos.
[Seller’s Inventory # AP-004]