The Salvation Army Lassie
Artist
George Mather Richards
United States, 1880 - 1958
Printer
Sackett & Wilhelms Corp., NY
United States
Date1918
Dimensions40 x 30 in. (101.6 x 76.2 cm)
ClassificationsPoster
Credit LineGift of Peter A. Blatz
Object numberPH.95
DescriptionThis World War I poster showing a soldier cheerfully biting into a donut and gesturing approvingly at a young woman in Salvation Army uniform carrying a tray of donuts in the background is probably the most famous work by American illustrator George Mather Richards, who otherwise illustrated history text books, children’s books, and books of poetry. It promotes the United War Work Campaign that had been officially introduced by the federal government on the day of the Armistice, November 11, 1918. The idea was to raise an initial sum of $170,000 in the space of a single week to jumpstart its efforts to provide wholesome entertainments, like sports, books, and movies, for American troops serving abroad. Since the servicemen were to remain in France well into 1919, fundraising continued after this too. The Salvation Army was one of seven non-governmental organizations united in this campaign; in 1917, it had sent around 250 volunteers abroad. In addition to providing emotional and practical support, they served hot coffee and fried doughnuts in soldiers’ helmets, earning the nickname “Doughnut Lassies.” As in the case of the Red Cross, this kind of war work significantly raised the profile of the Salvation Army. On View
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