NORMAN ROCKWELL (1894-1978)
145
●
[THE FOUR FREEDOMS.] Group of 4 posters. 1943.
Each 56x39
1
/
2
inches, 142
1
/
4
x100
1
/
4
cm. U.S. Government Printing Office, [Washington, D.C.]
Condition varies, generally A- / B+: folded as issued. Paper.
On January 6, 1941, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt addressed the United States Congress about the
escalating threat to American security caused by the war raging in Europe. In this now famous “Four
Freedoms” speech, Roosevelt encouraged America to step up war production and adopt the mindset that
involvement in the war was inevitable. Toward this end, he illuminated America’s lofty goal: “In future days
which we seek to make secure, we look forward to a world founded on four essential human freedoms.”
Norman Rockwell, whose prolific work for
The Saturday Evening Post
had already captured the hearts of
Americans, took these four freedoms and deftly pictured them in his classic style. Originally Rockwell’s
sketches, based on his Vermont neighbors, were turned down by the OWI. It wasn’t until after these images
appeared on four covers of
The Saturday Evening Post
in February and March 1943, that the government
realized their value, took the original paintings on tour and turned the images into posters. The resulting
powerful combination of words and images were successfully used by the government to raise money for
the war effort. Printed in three sizes, these are the scarcer, largest format. American Style p. 132, Posters
for Victory p. 40ff, Design for Victory p. 37, War Posters 210 (var).
[3,000/4,000]
VARIOUS ARTISTS
146
●
[WORLD WAR II.] Group of 16 posters. Circa 1940.
Sizes vary.
Condition varies, generally A / A-: folded as issued. Paper.
Full list upon request.
[700/1,000]
VARIOUS ARTISTS
147
●
[LOOSE TALK / WORLD WAR II.] Group of 10 posters. 1942.
Sizes vary.
Condition varies, generally A-: folded as issued. Paper.
Full list upon request.
[700/1,000]
146
147
