Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Don't Be a Dope! Handle Equipment Right!
Artifact IDMO 2005.13.35.53
Object Type
Poster
Artist
Will Eisner
(American comic book artist, 1917 - 2005)
Maker
U.S. Government Printing Office
(American, founded 1861)
Issuing Body
U.S. Army
(American, founded 1775)
Issuing Body
U.S. Army Ordnance Corps
(American, founded 1812)
Date1944
Mediumpaper, ink
Dimensionsoverall H 14 in x W 18 in (35.6 cm x 45.7 cm )
Physical DescriptionA World War II U.S. conservation poster titled “Don’t be a dope! HANDLE EQUIPMENT RIGHT!” The green, black, and white poster features a cartoon illustration of a chaotic battlefield scene. In the foreground, American soldiers in foxholes struggle with malfunctioning weapons and ammunition while facing Japanese soldiers, also in foxholes, one of whom is thumbing his nose at the Americans. In the background, a bumbling U.S. Army soldier named Joe Dope watches with a shocked expression as a military officer scolds him. Text in the upper portion of the illustration states: “Joe Dope, friends, has done it again / Left everything out in the rain. / Now the shell is a dud, / Shots fall short in the mud, / And hang-fires cause Nippon no pain!" The artist’s facsimile signature is in the lower right corner of the illustration : “CWO Will EiSNER.”
Additional small text in the bottom margin reads: “ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT, U. S. ARMY / U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1944—O-569902.”
Additional DetailsAdditional small text in the bottom margin reads: “ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT, U. S. ARMY / U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1944—O-569902.”
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
