Vintage Red Cross Poster Art on Display

“A Reflection of Life”, the rare and unique collection of historic Red Cross posters from the early 1900s will continue to be on display in Darke County. These magnificent and colorful posters depict the American Red Cross disaster relief, armed forced and fundraising efforts during and following World War I. These historical posters were used in community outreach, to encourage members “to join” the American Red Cross. Created long before graphic artists and technology, they were created by artists and muralists, designing one single image that would “make the ask” across the country to support the American Red Cross.

The display will be at the Anna Bier Gallery of Memorial Hall in Greenville during these times in September: Before and at intermission for the DCCA Artist Series Program on Sat. evening, Sept. 13 and at regular Saturday gallery hours of 11AM – 3PM on September 13, and 20.

Director Marcia Weidner noted, “I am looking forward to exhibiting this rare collection of vintage Red Cross posters recognizing the Red Cross for the many years of service to our nation in times of need.” One of the posters on display is possibly one of the most important in the American Red Cross history, “The Greatest Mother”, by Alonzo E, Foringer, in 1918, some ten million copies were distributed in towns and cities across the country.

The American Red Cross of Darke Co. chapter has these unique posters on loan from the American Red Cross Northern Miami Valley chapter. The posters were given to the Northern Miami VIalley Chapter by a donor who found them in her father’s attic after he died. He was a printer and it is presumed that he printed these posters.

The posters were used as a fund drive when support for the Red Cross was through membership for $1.00. Children collected pennies to fund the Red Cross. In keeping with the spirit of the posters, a collection canister will be available for the Darke Co. Red Cross.

To paraphrase Stella Adler,”Life beats down and crushes and the soul and art reminds you that you have one, while the Red Cross makes sure you can live one.”