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Archival Illustrations Collection

Step back in time with these archival illustrations, capturing moments from the past that are both nostalgic and intriguing

Background imageArchival Illustrations Collection: Enjoy - don t destroy ca. 1936-1937

Enjoy - don t destroy ca. 1936-1937
Poster showing two children picking flowers

Background imageArchival Illustrations Collection: Final barber shop quartet contest presented by Park Department on the Mall, Central Park Sept

Final barber shop quartet contest presented by Park Department on the Mall, Central Park Sept. 10, 8: 15 p. m. ca. 1936
Poster announcing the Park Departments barbershop quartet contest, showing four men singing

Background imageArchival Illustrations Collection: Discover Puerto Rico U. S. A. Where the Americas meet ca. 1936-1940

Discover Puerto Rico U. S. A. Where the Americas meet ca. 1936-1940
Poster promoting Puerto Rico for tourism, showing view of harbor from Morro Castle

Background imageArchival Illustrations Collection: The 5 & 10 [cent] store ca. 1936-1941

The 5 & 10 [cent] store ca. 1936-1941
Poster showing various items that can be purchased at a five and ten cent store, such as rings, pans, games of checkers, china, cards, clothing, and other items

Background imageArchival Illustrations Collection: Philadelphia Old Swedes Church ca. 1936-1941

Philadelphia Old Swedes Church ca. 1936-1941
Poster promoting tourism, showing the Old Swedes Church in Philadelphia, Pa

Background imageArchival Illustrations Collection: Cincinnati Federal Theatre [presents] 'Pirates of Penzance'[a] Gilbert & Sullivan operetta ca. 1937

Cincinnati Federal Theatre [presents] "Pirates of Penzance"[a] Gilbert & Sullivan operetta ca. 1937
Poster for Federal Theatre Project presentation of " The Pirates of Penzance" at Emery, Walnut & Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio, showing a pirate ship

Background imageArchival Illustrations Collection: New Trier evening school Classes for adults, Wednesday evenings 7: 30 - 9: 30. ca. 1941

New Trier evening school Classes for adults, Wednesday evenings 7: 30 - 9: 30. ca. 1941
Poster showing a woman wearing an apron with her hand in a bowl of food

Background imageArchival Illustrations Collection: Pet show - WPA recreation project, Dist. No. 2 ca. 1939

Pet show - WPA recreation project, Dist. No. 2 ca. 1939
Poster showing two dogs

Background imageArchival Illustrations Collection: 'Help yourself'ca. 1937

"Help yourself"ca. 1937
Poster for Federal Theatre Project presentation of " Help Yourself" at the Hollywood Playhouse, showing a hand holding a stack of money

Background imageArchival Illustrations Collection: Hoyts 'A Texas steer'a rip roaring comedy of political life ca. 1936-1941

Hoyts "A Texas steer"a rip roaring comedy of political life ca. 1936-1941
Poster for Federal Theatre Project presentation of Hoyts " A Texas Steer" at the Mason Theatre, showing a cowboy hat on the dome of the Capitol

Background imageArchival Illustrations Collection: 'Its new! - Red white blue malt - Its different - So is Follow the parade'now at Hollywood

"Its new! - Red white blue malt - Its different - So is Follow the parade"now at Hollywood Playhouse ca
Poster for presentation of " Follow the Parade" at the Hollywood Playhouse, showing a malt with a straw

Background imageArchival Illustrations Collection: Sew for victory ca. 1941-1943

Sew for victory ca. 1941-1943
Poster promoting sewing as contribution to the war effort, showing outline of sewing machine with war images

Background imageArchival Illustrations Collection: 'Only God can make a tree'ca. 1930s or 1940s

"Only God can make a tree"ca. 1930s or 1940s
Poster promoting conservation of trees as a natural resource

Background imageArchival Illustrations Collection: Exhibition of housing photographs Produced by Federal Art Project

Exhibition of housing photographs Produced by Federal Art Project, Work Projects Administration ca. 1939
Poster for Federal Art Project exhibition of photographs

Background imageArchival Illustrations Collection: Eat fruit - be healthy ca. 1938

Eat fruit - be healthy ca. 1938
Poster promoting proper dietary habits, showing stylized fruit

Background imageArchival Illustrations Collection: Fort Marion National Monument, St. Augustine, Florida ca. 1938

Fort Marion National Monument, St. Augustine, Florida ca. 1938
Poster shows view of Fort Marion (Castillo de San Marcos)

Background imageArchival Illustrations Collection: Buckingham Fountain on Chicagos lake front, worlds largest and most beautiful illuminated

Buckingham Fountain on Chicagos lake front, worlds largest and most beautiful illuminated fountain... 1939
Poster showing fountain and Chicago skyline

Background imageArchival Illustrations Collection: Pet show WPA recreation project, Dist. No. 2 ca. 1939

Pet show WPA recreation project, Dist. No. 2 ca. 1939
Poster showing a dog wearing a blue ribbon, flanked by cats

Background imageArchival Illustrations Collection: Learn to swim campaign Classes for all ages forming in all pools ca. 1940

Learn to swim campaign Classes for all ages forming in all pools ca. 1940
Poster for New York Department of Parks announcing classes forming for swimming lessons, showing African Americans on one side and white children on the other

Background imageArchival Illustrations Collection: Childrens art Paintings, murals, prints, sculpture, craftwork by children in Project art teaching

Childrens art Paintings, murals, prints, sculpture, craftwork by children in Project art teaching classes ca. 1937
Poster announcing exhibit of childrens art at the Federal Art Project Gallery, Works Progress Administration, 225 West 57th Street, New York City, showing a childs drawing of a horse

Background imageArchival Illustrations Collection: Field day--WPA recreation project, Dist. No. 2 ca. 1939

Field day--WPA recreation project, Dist. No. 2 ca. 1939
Poster showing woman holding tennis racket, with silhouettes of other games and events in background

Background imageArchival Illustrations Collection: Hiking--WPA recreation project, Dist. No. 2 ca. 1939

Hiking--WPA recreation project, Dist. No. 2 ca. 1939
Poster shows a man walking in a park

Background imageArchival Illustrations Collection: Operators of small boats enlist now! U. S. Coast Guard ca. 1941-1943

Operators of small boats enlist now! U. S. Coast Guard ca. 1941-1943
Poster encouraging boat owners to enlist in the U.S. Coast Guard at the Recruiting Station, 146 Baronne St. New Orleans, La. showing a small Coast Guard boat

Background imageArchival Illustrations Collection: Big tent theatre - now playing - Abraham Lincoln, the great commoner ca. 1936

Big tent theatre - now playing - Abraham Lincoln, the great commoner ca. 1936
Poster for Federal Theatre Project presentation showing a head-and-shoulders portrait of Lincoln

Background imageArchival Illustrations Collection: City of New York municipal airports No. 1 Floyd Bennett Field - No. 2 North Beach. ca. 1937

City of New York municipal airports No. 1 Floyd Bennett Field - No. 2 North Beach. ca. 1937
Poster promoting New Yorks municipal airports, Floyd Bennett Field and North Beach, East River Seaplane bases, Wall Street and 31st Street, showing airplane and seaplane

Background imageArchival Illustrations Collection: Keep your fire escapes clear ca. 1937

Keep your fire escapes clear ca. 1937
Poster for the Tenement House Department of the City of New York advising that tenement house residents keep their fire escapes free of obstructions

Background imageArchival Illustrations Collection: Wild life The national parks preserve all life ca. 1936-1940

Wild life The national parks preserve all life ca. 1936-1940
Poster for National Park Service, showing a deer drinking from a stream in the forest

Background imageArchival Illustrations Collection: Elmhurst flag day, June 18, 1939, Du Page County centennial ca. 1939

Elmhurst flag day, June 18, 1939, Du Page County centennial ca. 1939
Poster showing American flag

Background imageArchival Illustrations Collection: Du Page County soap box derby... Glen Ellyn, Ill. ca. 1939

Du Page County soap box derby... Glen Ellyn, Ill. ca. 1939
Poster showing soap box derby contestants crossing the finish line

Background imageArchival Illustrations Collection: Sand modeling for younger children--WPA recreation project, Dist. No. 2 ca. 1939

Sand modeling for younger children--WPA recreation project, Dist. No. 2 ca. 1939
Poster showing children creating sand sculpture

Background imageArchival Illustrations Collection: International exhibition of water colors The Art Institute of Chicago - March 23 - May 14 1939 ca

International exhibition of water colors The Art Institute of Chicago - March 23 - May 14 1939 ca. 1939
Poster for exhibit of watercolors at the Art Institute of Chicago, showing a paintbrush in a glass of water

Background imageArchival Illustrations Collection: Museum of science & industry ca. 1940

Museum of science & industry ca. 1940
Poster for Museum of Science & Industry, showing an abstract design of industrial elements

Background imageArchival Illustrations Collection: No enemy sub will dare lift its eye if you lend your Zeiss or Bausch & Lomb binoculars to the Navy

No enemy sub will dare lift its eye if you lend your Zeiss or Bausch & Lomb binoculars to the Navy ca. 1941-1943
Poster showing a periscope emerging from the sea, with a ship in flames and sinking in the distance

Background imageArchival Illustrations Collection: Bands on parade outstanding eastern Illinois high school bands ca. 1940

Bands on parade outstanding eastern Illinois high school bands ca. 1940
Poster for a high school band parade at Eastern Illinois State Teachers College, Charleston, Saturday, November 9, 1940, showing a profile of a band member wearing a tall hat

Background imageArchival Illustrations Collection: Philadelphia - Carpenters Hall ca. 1936-1941

Philadelphia - Carpenters Hall ca. 1936-1941
Poster promoting tourism, showing Carpenters Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Background imageArchival Illustrations Collection: Pennsylvania Costumes and handicrafts, the Pennsylvania Germans ca. 1936-1941

Pennsylvania Costumes and handicrafts, the Pennsylvania Germans ca. 1936-1941
Poster promoting Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, showing an Amish couple

Background imageArchival Illustrations Collection: Rural Pennsylvania Colonial Pennsylvania exists to-day in many churches, costumes

Rural Pennsylvania Colonial Pennsylvania exists to-day in many churches, costumes, crafts of the German Sectarians ca
Poster promoting Pennsylvania, showing pottery

Background imageArchival Illustrations Collection: Grand Canyon National Park, a free government service ca. 1938

Grand Canyon National Park, a free government service ca. 1938
Poster shows view of the Grand Canyon

Background imageArchival Illustrations Collection: A guide to the golden state from the past to the present California history and culture

A guide to the golden state from the past to the present California history and culture, tours and trails, recreational facilities : American guide series 1936-1941

Background imageArchival Illustrations Collection: W. P. A. Federal Art Project of Illinois--Sculpture exhibition - 433 East Erie Street--April 10th

W. P. A. Federal Art Project of Illinois--Sculpture exhibition - 433 East Erie Street--April 10th - May 12th ca. 1939
Poster for a sculpture exhibition sponsored by the W.P.A. Federal Art Project, showing a hand holding clay that has been shaped into the form of a face

Background imageArchival Illustrations Collection: Posters and art processes Methods materials tools: Posters - graphic art fresco and sculpture ca

Posters and art processes Methods materials tools: Posters - graphic art fresco and sculpture ca. 1937
Poster for Federal Art Gallery exhibition showing abstract figure of artist

Background imageArchival Illustrations Collection: Birds of the world An illustrated natural history in popular style with 100 candid photos

Birds of the world An illustrated natural history in popular style with 100 candid photos : A New York City, W. P. A
Poster advertising WPA Federal Writers Project illustrated guide to natural history of birds of the world

Background imageArchival Illustrations Collection: Art week, Nov. 25 - Dec. 1, 1940 Buy American art ca. 1940

Art week, Nov. 25 - Dec. 1, 1940 Buy American art ca. 1940
Poster announcing " art week" encouraging the purchase of American art, showing stylized eagle

Background imageArchival Illustrations Collection: Posters, Federal Art Gallery, 50 Beacon St. Boston ca. 1938

Posters, Federal Art Gallery, 50 Beacon St. Boston ca. 1938
Poster announcing exhibition of posters at the Federal Art Gallery, 50 Beacon St. Boston, Mass

Background imageArchival Illustrations Collection: Photographs, second annual exhibition, Sioux City Camera Club ca. 1936-1939

Photographs, second annual exhibition, Sioux City Camera Club ca. 1936-1939
Poster for the Sioux City Camera Clubs second annual exhibition of photographs at the Community Federal Art Center, Sioux City, Iowa, showing stylized man at a camera

Background imageArchival Illustrations Collection: Funny side up ca. 1939

Funny side up ca. 1939
Poster promoting reading, showing a boys smiling face and an open book

Background imageArchival Illustrations Collection: Rural Pennsylvania ca. 1936-1941

Rural Pennsylvania ca. 1936-1941
Poster promoting Pennsylvania, showing a man and a woman from a religious community and scenes depicting rural Pennsylvania

Background imageArchival Illustrations Collection: An orderly line is a safe line! ca. 1941-1943

An orderly line is a safe line! ca. 1941-1943
Poster promoting safety procedures during civil defense air raid drills



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Step back in time with these archival illustrations, capturing moments from the past that are both nostalgic and intriguing. From the vibrant energy of a barber shop quartet contest in Central Park to the enchanting allure of Puerto Rico where two continents converge, these illustrations transport us to a bygone era. Immerse yourself in the bustling atmosphere of a 5 & 10 cent store, where shoppers peruse an array of affordable treasures. Marvel at the architectural beauty of Philadelphia's Old Swedes Church, standing as a testament to history and faith. Join Cincinnati's Federal Theatre for a lively performance of Gilbert & Sullivan's "Pirates of Penzance, " transporting you into a world filled with swashbuckling adventures. Expand your horizons at New Trier evening school, offering classes for adults seeking knowledge and growth. Experience the joy and camaraderie at a pet show organized by WPA recreation project, bringing together animal lovers from all walks of life. Indulge your senses with Hoyts' "A Texas Steer, " an uproarious comedy that satirizes political life. Quench your thirst with Red White Blue Malt while enjoying Follow the Parade at Hollywood Playhouse - an experience unlike any other. Amidst times marked by war and sacrifice, join the Sew for Victory movement as individuals come together to support their country through their sewing skills. These archival illustrations not only capture specific moments in time but also reflect larger themes such as community engagement, cultural expression, and resilience. Enjoy this journey through history as we appreciate these glimpses into our collective past.