Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Joe Dope World War II Conservation Poster
Artifact IDMO 2005.13.35.49
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)
Date1943
Mediumpaper, ink
Dimensionsoverall H 18 1/4 in x W 14 in (46.4 cm x 35.6 cm )
Physical DescriptionA green, black, and white World War II U.S. conservation poster featuring the character Joe Dope, a bumbling U.S. Army soldier. The poster consists of a three-panel comic illustrating the dangers of spilled gasoline. In panel 1, a U.S. Army master sergeant irately points to puddles of gasoline soldier Joe Dope has carelessly let fall on the floor of a workshop. In panel 2, Joe Dope nonchalantly strolls by a mechanic who is about to light a cigarette near a puddle of gasoline. In panel 3, an Army medic examines a scrap of fabric on the ground while the master sergeant from panel 1 sadly vacuums up the shadowy remains of a burnt out building and Joe Dope whose empty shoes lie nearby. At the center of the poster is a text box with the words: "Joe Dope says, 'Why bother to clean / Up a small spot of spilled gasolene? . . . / It evaporates fast.' / But a helluva blast / Follows lighting a smoke on the scene." The artist’s facsimile signature is in the lower right corner of the poster: “CWO Will EiSNER ORDNANCE.”
Additional small text in the top and bottom margins reads: “U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1943—O-565905.”
Additional DetailsAdditional small text in the top and bottom margins reads: “U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1943—O-565905.”
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
