It may be the most famous American poster ever, and now bidders in a massive militaria auction are fighting over the chance to own Uncle Sam.
In the latest show from Maryland-based Alexander Historical Auctions, a “very rare” first edition “I Want You” Army poster is already priced above the expected final price of $6,000 and at $8,000
Screen Shot 2021-05-19 at 1.46.31 PM.pngAlexander President Bill Panagopulos said the iconic poster was the first time Uncle Sam appeared. It is was created in 1917 by James Montgomery Flagg and led to the creation of the Uncle Sam campaign that is now synonymous with U.S. Army recruitment.
“James Montgomery Flagg’s ‘I Want You for U.S. Army’ wildly popularized the image we all have today of ‘Uncle Sam.’ It’s easily the most famous American poster of all time,” he told Secrets, which has for years followed Alexander’s auctions because of the odd, rare, and sometimes eye-popping historical artifacts that people put up for sale.
Consider another poster being sold. It is the “Wanted” poster for 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden, and it’s signed by the Navy SEAL who put him down. On it, former SEAL Team Six member Robert O’Neill wrote, “Never quit” above his autograph.
Screen Shot 2021-05-19 at 1.49.27 PM.pngPanagopulos told Secrets that the poster “is as American as Babe Ruth and apple pie.” And, he added, “What could be better than owning a Wanted poster of Osama signed by the hero who gunned that dog down?”
The online sale is over two days, this Saturday and Sunday, May 22-23.
As in past Alexander auctions, there is a big focus on World War II and Adolf Hitler in part because collectors are very focused on buying up the few relics from that period still available.
“The attraction of Hitler memorabilia is not at all to own these items as icons,” said Panagopulos. “It’s more like owning the devil’s fiddle when he can’t hurt you anymore,” he added.
Some of the Hitler-related items include a postcard watercolor the madman painted and a signed copy of his Mein Kampf. The “deluxe editor” was taken by an American officer from the ruins of Hitler’s Nazi Party offices in Munich near the war’s end.
The auction also includes items from James Earl Ray, convicted of killing Martin Luther King Jr., letters from former presidents, and a copy of the poster showing actress Farrah Fawcett in her famous bathing suit pose. No other American poster sold more than hers, the auctioneer said.
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