1917 USA Recruitment Poster - Uncle Sam "I Want You"

A US Army recruitment poster from 1917, with Uncle Sam encouraging enlistment in the army.

All text © HotPress

The notes from the Museum of New Zealand website tell us that "This is the most famous of all American First World War posters, and was by one of America's best known and admired illustrators, James Montgomery Flagg. Five million copies were printed. It features a self-portrait of the artist as Uncle Sam, the male personification of the United States. The design and slogan were inspired by Alfred Leete's famous British poster of Lord Kitchener pointing directly at the viewer in 1914. This concept has been copied many times since the First World War both in support of war and against. It fulfils the requirements of a successful war poster with its simple image and direct appeal."

This is a digitally retouched reproduction of the original held by the Museum of New Zealand. All prints are reproduced without the HOTPRESS watermarks.

We strive to provide authentic representations of the original work that are suitable for enlargements that retain the tones and character of the original. However, in this case, we have left the image unrestored.