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And They Thought We Couldn't Fight Rare 1920 Etching After Clyde Forsythe WWI

$ 39.6

Availability: 84 in stock
  • Modified Item: No
  • Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
  • All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted

    Description

    You're bidding on a rare WWI commemorative etching - "And They Thought We Couldn't Fight" - a nice, accurate rendering of the classic Clyde Forsythe 1917 Victory Liberty Bond poster. Not sure if Forsythe was directly involved with the creation of this piece or not - it does not have a signature, only a 1920 copyright at the top, by R. Hand & K.R. Barrie. It's window-matted above a patriotic poem of the same title, inspired by the Forsythe work, by soldier-poet Steuart M. Emery, "The Kipling of the A.E.F." according to the piece. The image - one of the most iconic in WWI poster art - features a battered and bandaged but smiling Doughboy emerging from the trenches, carrying three trophy German helmets.
    I have not been able to find much information about this piece - no history, one example in a private collection and one record of a 2010 auction sale - those were both in the same basic format, framed and matted above the poem. This seems to be within its original framing, a simple black wood frame under old glass. Note that when I obtained it, there was mildew and soil on the back of the glass, so I removed it, cleaned the glass on both sides and photographed it mostly out of frame. I provided one photo in frame, but due to glare and reflection it's not a very representative photo.
    Note some issues of condition - The matting has some soil and moisture stain and damage - including an area at top right corner where the print is also stained (see photo). The visible print appears otherwise clean, but it's adhered to the front window matting, so there would be glue and moisture residue in the margin areas if you were to remove it (see photos). Scarce in any condition, though, and an overall compelling historical piece. Total size in frame is 19 1/2" X 27 3/4" - visible print is 12 1/4" X 16".
    Please review photos carefully to make your own determination of overall condition and appeal, and don't hesitate to ask any questions prior to bidding - thanks for looking!