Propaganda NSS style?

[Undead]

Not sure what to make of this and am sure there are others out there that would know more.

Was it common for NSS to print posters during WWII for propaganda use? I came across this while traveling last month in an antique shop. The poster is a monster 40x60 but has NSS info at the bottom as can be seen in the photo. Did not even bother looking into what they would take since their starting price is $5k but thought others here would be interested in seeing it anyway.

[erik1925]

What a GREAT WWII propaganda piece, Mike. 

Who is the "One Down?" Mussolini?

And was this maybe a more local piece that was produced? I think I can read Union Local  (but cant make out the union local number or the letters after it).

[Crazy Vick]

Wow, what a great poster.  At first I thought it might be for a short film reel that ran alongside theatrical releases during war time, as these were common, or perhaps a commemorative poster issued by the NSS.  But because there is a local union stamp I suspect it might actually be a propaganda poster for the NSS workplace.  Most companies and even government depts issued these sorts of posters to boost production, morale, attendance, etc. so why not the NSS?

That is my guess.  Based on size and condition and if its not glued to the backing in the frame, I am sure its worth 5K as it must be super rare (i.e. c'mon Mike pick that sh*t up! )

[erik1925]

A small blurb I found in an online version of the book, Records & Briefs New York State Appellate Division, explaining very briefly, the Sign, Pictorial and Display Union, Local 230, as shown on the above poster:






And this NY Times article from Oct. 30, 1983, discussing the changing work of billboard painters in NYC, who are also members of this Union and Local:

http://www.nytimes.com/1983/10/30/nyregion/fewer-billboard-painters-produce-the-big-picture.html

Excerpt: "As older painters have retired, few young outdoor artists have taken their places, labor and industry executives said. The Sign-Pictorial and Display Union, Local 230, includes 58 outdoor artists and helpers, down from 150 or 200 in the 50's, according to Jack Piuggi, its business representative."

[MoviePosterBid.com]

Was it common for NSS to print posters during WWII for propaganda use?

factually, almost everyone participated in the war effort to some extent during WW2.
there was a patriotism we don't really know today

I'm sure NSS would have printed a catalog of posters available for distribution to theatres

[Undead]

Both good points, will have to keep doing some research on it.

Thanks for the extra info on the union Eric, that actually make a little more sense to me now since I would swear I have seen it before, though not at size. Living in the NY/NJ area I may have run into it for sale in the past and just can't remember where.

For buying it, it is a little outside my current price range, OK a lot. I am after all selling to raise capital so unless something is an extraordinary deal I can't buy. Besides I honestly am not sure I could find the place again. We found it after getting off 95 and started taking back roads on the way back from Virginia heading for NJ when it was backed up for an accident. We drove a bit randomly looking for... antique stores while we were in the middle of what appeared to be nowhere.

Will post if I find more on it. I do have a few WWII poster books maybe I will get lucky and find it in one of those.

[oldposterho]

Here you go:

[Crazy Vick]

Wow, nice spot man! So like all NSS posters, it was meant to be available primarily for those in the business. Part commemorative and part motivating.   

[Undead]

Cool, nice find and thanks for sharing! It definitely helps fill in the picture just a little more.

There was a second picture next to the one I posted which just happened to be that exact Santa, same price. Could not get a decent picture because of glare.

[oldposterho]

Happy to help.  Too bad you don't have a picture of the third New Year's Eve gay sailor poster, that would be worth seeing.

(I know, I know...)

[Undead]

Found this one where you can see the Christmas poster as well. Not a great shot but the lighting was much worse when I was there, some lights had been moved around sot eh glare when trying to get anywhere near it was terrible plus being behind the counter.

[erik1925]

Great shot, Mike. Love the Santa poster, too. Beautiful 

And what is that item on the top shelf that almost looks like an alien hand sculpture (made of wood?) based on the creatures in the original War of the Worlds?

[Undead]

Great shot, Mike. Love the Santa poster, too. Beautiful 

And what is that item on the top shelf that almost looks like an alien hand sculpture (made of wood?) based on the creatures in the original War of the Worlds?

That would be a small carousel horse I believe.

[erik1925]

Once you mentioned "horse," I now see it.

[MoviePosterBid.com]

I was wondering wtf Jeff was talking about

[Ari]

I was wondering wtf Jeff was talking about

haha I was looking and looking and looking, thinking, he cant mean the horse, ha

[Undead]

Don't worry Jeff, I got it as soon as you said it.

[erik1925]

Maybe the caffeine hadnt quite kicked in when i first looked at the pic, but then that image stuck in me head. Once you said it was a wooden horse, the alien hand image from WotW went bye bye from my brain. (but it does look like it a little bit from that angle, as your side by side shows). 

[Neo]

Very cool find there, UndeadMike.  It's always fun to randomly run into something like that.

And great added info from Peter with the ad clipping.  Who'd have thought that they'd both be displayed in the same way as that ad from way back when.   

[erik1925]

Mike, was the Santa poster also priced at $5K?

[Undead]

I am not 100% sure, it may have been 4500 on that one.