1 of 1
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Hold 'Til It's Cold . . .
Artifact IDMO 2005.13.35.118.1
Object Type
Poster
Artist
Albert Staehle
(American artist, 1899 - 1974)
Maker
U.S. Government Printing Office
(American, founded 1861)
Issuing Body
U.S. Department of Agriculture
(American, founded 1862)
Date1945
Mediumpaper, ink
Dimensionsoverall H 18 1/4 in x W 12 7/8 in (46.4 cm x 32.7 cm )
Physical DescriptionA World War II U.S. conservation poster. The color poster features a painted illustration depicting Smokey Bear pointing a stick at a wood-framed chalkboard and instructing a bear cub sitting on a nearby tree stump. On the black chalkboard is a white drawing of a hand snuffing out a match between two fingers. The artist’s facsimile signature is in the lower left corner of the illustration: “Albert Staehle.” Below the illustration is a graphic image of a book of matches followed by text that states: “SMOKEY SAYS - Hold 'til it's cold . . . prevent woods fires.”
Additional small text in the bottom margin of the poster reads: “U.S. Department of Agriculture / Forest Service / U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1945—O-662923 / State Forest Service.”
Printed on the reverse of the poster are display instructions, as well as the return address for the U. S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service.
Historical NoteArtist Albert Staehle (1899-1974) created the very first Smokey Bear poster in 1944 (see MO 2005.13.35.117), followed by several other Smokey Bear posters that taught forest fire prevention including this 1945 poster.Additional DetailsAdditional small text in the bottom margin of the poster reads: “U.S. Department of Agriculture / Forest Service / U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1945—O-662923 / State Forest Service.”
Printed on the reverse of the poster are display instructions, as well as the return address for the U. S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service.
Custodial History NoteDonated to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum by the Adriance Memorial Library.
Credit LineGift of the Adriance Memorial Library
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesOriginal Posters from World War I and World War II (National Archives Identifier 739394)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedCopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.In Collection(s)
Not on view
