Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Fight for Freedom!
Artifact IDMO 2005.13.20.29.1
Object Type
Poster
Artist
John Philip Falter
(American illustrator, 1910 - 1982)
Maker
U.S. Government Printing Office
(American, founded 1861)
Issuing Body
Bureau of Graphics, OWI
(American, 1942 - 1945)
Issuing Body
U.S. Office of War Information
(American, 1942 - 1945)
Issuing Body
Office of Facts and Figures, OEM
(American, 1941 - 1942)
Issuing Body
Office For Emergency Management
(American, 1940 - 1942)
Date1942
Mediumpaper, ink
Dimensionsoverall H 20 in x W 14 1/4 in (50.8 cm x 36.2 cm )
Physical DescriptionA color poster featuring an illustration of a family and a priest being cornered against a brick wall. A large silhouette shadow of a figure – presumably a German soldier – threateningly holding a cat o' nine tails whip is visible on the brick wall. The artist’s facsimile name is in the lower left corner of the illustration: JOHN FALTER. Black text running across the top and bottom of the poster reads: "THIS WORLD CANNOT EXIST / HALF-SLAVE AND HALF-FREE" / FIGHT FOR FREEDOM!
Small text printed in the bottom margin of the poster reads: For additional copies write to Graphics Division, Office of Facts and Figures, Washington, D. C. . . . Specify GPO Jacket No. 453120. / U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1942—O.
Historical NoteThe text, "This World Cannot Exist Half Slave and Half Free" a paraphrased quote from Abraham Lincoln's “House Divided” speech from the Illinois Republican State Convention on June 16, 1858. The original quote was: "I believe this government cannot endure, permanently half slave and half free."Small text printed in the bottom margin of the poster reads: For additional copies write to Graphics Division, Office of Facts and Figures, Washington, D. C. . . . Specify GPO Jacket No. 453120. / U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1942—O.
Additional Details
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)
Exhibitions
Not on view