A great American flag fills the top of the sheet, its stripes rippling and its 48 stars bright against a dark blue canton. It flies from a tall staff, the halyard and tassels streaming past four lines of heavy black capitals: Join. Army. Navy. Marines. A red border and a navy rule frame the design.
What the poster shows
Many First World War posters relied on a figure, a pointing Uncle Sam or a charging soldier. This one relies on the flag alone, and on a direct instruction. The lettering is outlined in white so it reads clearly against the pale blue sky, and the flag is drawn in flat, bold colour, the way a printer could reproduce it cheaply and quickly.
The flag has 48 stars, correct for the time: the 48-star flag became official in 1912, after New Mexico and Arizona joined the Union, and stayed in use until 1959.
One poster for three services
When the United States entered the war in April 1917, the Army, Navy and Marine Corps all had to grow fast. Posters like this one asked men to join any of the three, leaving the choice to the recruit and the recruiting office. The poster is usually dated to about 1917, and the Library of Congress holds a copy in its World War I poster collection. The artist and printer are not recorded.
The restored edition
Our edition was restored from an original print: the paper and colours cleaned, and creases, stains and wear removed, with the lettering and flag kept. We don’t have a usable scan of this print before restoration, so there is no before and after comparison.
The restored poster is available as a paper print in three sizes or framed in black, white or natural wood, printed to order in the USA.
Frequently asked questions
When was Join Army Navy Marines made?
It is usually dated to about 1917, when the United States entered the First World War.
Who designed it?
The artist and printer are not recorded. The Library of Congress holds a copy in its World War I poster collection.
How many stars are on the flag?
Forty-eight, which was correct at the time. The 48-star flag was official from 1912 until 1959.
How big is the restored print?
Our restored edition is available as a paper print up to 23.4 x 33.1 inches, or framed up to 23 x 33 inches, printed to order in the USA.