I Want You for U.S. Army

Maker James Montgomery Flagg (American, 1877 - 1960)

Maker Leslie-Judge Company (American, 1881 - 1947)

Date1917

ClassificationsHistory

DimensionsFrame: 51 1/4 x 39 3/4 x 1 1/2 in. (130.2 x 101 x 3.8 cm)
Broadside: 40 1/4 x 29 15/16 in. (102.3 x 76 cm)

DescriptionBroadside print, "I Want You For U.S. Army," New York: Leslie - Judge Co., James Montgomery Flagg, 1917. World War I recruiting poster showing the now iconic pose of "Uncle Sam." The poster depicts an older man with a white beard in red, white, and blue pointing at the viewer. At proper left below the figure is the artist's signature. At bottom reads "I WANT YOU / FOR U.S. ARMY / NEAREST RECRUITING STATION." The print is bordered in a red, white, and blue rectangular pattern. Framed with white mat, metal description plaque, and glossy black frame.

Although earlier depictions of Uncle Sam existed, Flagg's drawing popularized the national personification of the United States. First appearing in July 1916 issue of Leslie's Weekly, Flagg's depiction was widely used as a recruiting tool from 1917-1918, as the U.S. entered World War I. It was used again throughout World War II.

James Montgomery Flagg (1877-1960) was an American illustrator and artist whose work was widely featured in comics and magazines. Best known for his "Uncle Sam" depiction, Flagg had previously been commissioned to make illustrations for magazines, books, cartoons, and advertisements. His Uncle Sam drawing thrust him into the national spotlight, and he began illustrating for some of the most popular publications of the time such as Collier's and The Saturday Evening Post.