As World War I began in 1914, the Red Cross, with 500,000 members, immediately sent a "mercy ship" of physicians and nurses to Europe. The United States entered the conflict in April 1917 and the Red Cross mobilized staff and volunteers to encourage the "doughboys" and improve morale. Members of the organization served donuts and coffee near the front lines, drove ambulances with wounded soldiers to the rear and comforted the wounded in field hospitals.

The Red Cross solicited public support with this poster in the holiday season of 1917. "10,000,000 million members by Christmas. On Christmas Eve, a candle in every window and a Red Cross member in every home."

By the end of the War, less than a year later, the Red Cross claimed 31 million men, women and children as members.

The frame size is 15 x 19 1/4

The original was: 1 print (poster): lithograph, color

Part of the Willard and Dorothy Straight Collection in the Prints and Photographs Division of the Library of Congress

Price: $120.00

Availability: Usually ships in one week

Product #: FR0007