As we face an election embroiled in controversy, voter suppression, and violence, posters continue to play a role on all sides. The posters featured here come from Presidential Rogues Gallery: Satirical Posters 1960s—Present, an exhibition CSPG has updated and presented every four years since 1988. This selection from the exhibition is based on James Montgomery Flagg’s “I Want You For U.S. Army,” considered to be the most famous poster in the world. Over four million copies were printed between 1917 and 1918, and it was reused during WWII, the Viet Nam War, and into the 21st century. It was based on a 1914 British recruitment poster by Alfred Leete depicting Lord Kitchener, the British Secretary of State for War. Kitchener points his finger at the viewer above the words "WANTS YOU." Flagg appropriated Kitchener’s pose, substituted his self-portrait as Uncle Sam, and poster history was made. History is also being made with this election. Vote as if your life depended on it. It does.
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