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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.”
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