Whenever guests walk into my home, the first thing they notice is the abundance of World War II posters on my walls. That’s because I’m a history buff and I’m greatly interested in collecting any kind of artwork related to that particular global conflict. I actually have a couple authentic World War II posters that were given to me by my grandparents, but the bulk of my collection is made up of high quality reproductions. Which is just fine by me. While I would of course prefer to have original World War II posters all over my walls, I really couldn’t begin to justify the expense that would require.
I have a pretty sizeable collection already, I am always looking for additional World War II posters to buy. I like to rotate the ones that I have on display so that I get to enjoy a variety of different looks in my house. In order to do this, I like to purchase vintage World War II posters on a regular basis. Because I buy so frequently, I have a few websites that I go back to again and again. These are websites that I can trust to have a great selection of quality World War II posters in stock for the lowest prices around. In addition, these online retailers have shown time and again that they handle my World War II posters with care and ship them in solid containers that won’t get bent or crushed in the mail. That’s why they get my repeat business.
Of course, I don’t just slap my World War II posters up on the wall with some tape or tacks to hold it in place. Each piece in my collection is professionally framed, which really makes the artwork stand out. I usually don’t have to time to go out to one of those do-it-yourself frame shops, so I have the framing done right when I place my order. Most of the websites that I purchase my World War II posters from offer framing services and even have preview pictures so I can see exactly how the finished product will look. I like ordering framed World War II posters because when they arrive, I can hang them up right away with no muss or fuss.
I think I read somewhere that the U.S. government printed more than 350 different World War II posters at the time of the conflict. It’s my goal to get a reproduction of as many of those as I can, so I hope my favorite art websites keep offering them for sale!
When most of us think of skull and crossbones, we envision the symbol consisting of a human skull and two bones crossed together either behind or under the skull. It is generally used in warning labels on poisonous substances, with the crossbones behind the skull. Traditionally the crossbones behind the skull indicate poison while the crossbones under the skull indicate pirates or piracy, such as featured on the Jolly Roger, one of the many flags of European and American pirates. Historically, actual skulls and bones were long used to mark the entrances to Spanish cemeteries for many centuries eventually leading the symbol to its association with the concept of death. Today, the skull and crossbones is used by many groups and societies, like the British Army, the United States Marine Corps, the Skull and Crossbones Society, as well as Kappa Sigma, Sigma Phi Epsilon, and Phi Kappa Sigma fraternities.
The Skull and Crossbones Society is one of the oldest of Yale University’s secret societies and by far the most secretive. The society has long been an inspiration for speculation and imagination, as members were sworn to secrecy and were to remain tight lipped about essentially trivial secrets. The group fastened a picture of its symbol to the door of the chapel on campus where the group met, “a cold looking nearly windowless Greco-Egyptian building with padlocked iron doors.” According to www.skullandcrossbones.org, generations of Bush men, as in George W. and George H., attended Yale and were all “Bonesmen” during their time at the university. Many other significant, historical public figures, also attended Yale and were members of the secret Skull and Crossbones Society.
So there you have it, a short synopsis of the skull and crossbones symbol. Now the next time you see a Jolly Roger or pirate toys, you’ll dig this article out of your short term memory and display your knowledge to anyone that will listen! The skull and crossbones is still in use today as the only standard symbol for poison, but this may change due to its association with popular pirate toys that attract unknowing children to it’s dangers. For the most part, the skull and crossbones is a just a symbol, aside from its pirate popularity, that will continue on to mystify several generations to come. It glows in the dark at Halloween on costumes and flags alike, in addition to gracing the bow of an occasional ship passing.
