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Historical Illustrations Collection

Step back in time with these historical illustrations from the late 1930s and early 1940s

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

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

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

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

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

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

Background imageHistorical 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 imageHistorical 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 imageHistorical 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 imageHistorical 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 imageHistorical 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 imageHistorical 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 imageHistorical 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 imageHistorical 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 imageHistorical 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 imageHistorical 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 imageHistorical 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 imageHistorical 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 imageHistorical 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 historical illustrations from the late 1930s and early 1940s. Enjoy the vibrant spirit of a bygone era as you explore these captivating snapshots of American life. In "Enjoy - Don't Destroy, " circa 1936-1937, we see a powerful message urging us to cherish and preserve our natural surroundings. This timeless reminder still resonates today. Transport yourself to Central Park on September 10th, ca. 1936, where the Park Department presents the final barber shop quartet contest on the Mall. The harmonious melodies fill the air as talented singers compete for glory in this enchanting event. "Discover Puerto Rico U. S. A. " takes us on a journey where two continents meet, capturing the essence of this beautiful island during its golden years between 1936 and 1940. Immerse yourself in its rich culture and breathtaking landscapes. The bustling atmosphere of "The 5 & 10 Store" brings nostalgia for simpler times when every purchase felt like a treasure hunt. Step into this charming emporium that thrived from ca. 1936-1941 and experience an era of affordable delights. Philadelphia's Old Swedes Church stands tall amidst changing times from ca. 1936-1941, reminding us of our nation's deep-rooted history and enduring faith that has shaped communities throughout generations. Experience Gilbert & Sullivan's beloved operetta "Pirates of Penzance" presented by Cincinnati Federal Theatre in ca. 1937 – an exhilarating performance filled with swashbuckling adventures and unforgettable melodies that captivated audiences then as it does now. New Trier evening school offers adults an opportunity for growth through classes held every Wednesday night from ca. 1941 onwards – a chance to expand horizons while fostering lifelong learning within their community. Witness adorable pets take center stage at WPA recreation project's pet show in District No. 2, ca. 1939.