Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
A Challenge for Humanity
Object numberMO 1997.15.26
Name
Poster
Maker
George Jacob Reid
(American, 1880 - 1952)
Date1940
Mediumpaper, ink
Dimensionsoverall H 28 in x W 21 in (71.1 cm x 53.3 cm )
DescriptionA 1940 Franklin D. Roosevelt presidential campaign poster with a New Deal theme. The red, white, and blue illustrated poster shows Franklin D. Roosevelt with the wording, "A Challenge FOR HUMANITY FROM THE NATION'S CAPITOL / AMERICA IS CALLING FOR THE MAN WHO CAN CLIMB THESE STEPS OF ACHIEVEMENT." FDR is standing at the top of a series of eighteen steps at the U.S. Capitol. On each step is an act, law, or agency FDR helped create. On each side of the steps is a pillar, the left one with the message "DEMOCRACY HAS NOT FAILED," and the right one with the message, "THE NEW DEAL IS THE ONLY DEAL."
The designer and poster information are printed in small text to the right of FDR: “Title, Design, Descriptive Matter, A Challenge For Humanity, Democracy Has Not Failed, Copyright 1940 By Geo. J. Reid, Milwaukee / Must not be copied in part or whole under penalty.” There is also a copyright notice in the lower right corner of the poster: “© 1940 GEO J. REID.” A Milwaukee, Wisconsin union bug is at the bottom of the poster.
Additional DetailsThe designer and poster information are printed in small text to the right of FDR: “Title, Design, Descriptive Matter, A Challenge For Humanity, Democracy Has Not Failed, Copyright 1940 By Geo. J. Reid, Milwaukee / Must not be copied in part or whole under penalty.” There is also a copyright notice in the lower right corner of the poster: “© 1940 GEO J. REID.” A Milwaukee, Wisconsin union bug is at the bottom of the poster.
Custodial History NoteDonated to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum by the Roosevelt Institute in 1995.
Credit LineGift of the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute (FERI)
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesCampaign Memorabilia (National Archives Identifier 778819)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedCopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.Collections
Non exposé