"Cutting out the faults that hold us back today helps us all forward tomorrow. What's your failing?"

This beautifully-made poster is uplifting in the most-backhanded way. It asks workers to reflect on their failures, to become a better worker.

The 1920’s brought in great wealth for America, propaganda posters from World War I and the start of “welfare capitalism.” It was the perfect environment for Mather and Company work ethic posters to gain popularity. Employers who wished to improve the efficiency of their office, and divert worker attention away from unions, could purchase a subscription of these posters. They made use of catchy slogans, puns, and metaphors, as well as the Art Deco-style designs of well-known American artists. Though the Mather campaigns ended in 1930 due to the 1929 stock market crash, a truly American ideal had been preserved in nearly 350 different posters -- that of the importance of capitalism, individualism, and efficacy.

Artist: Henry Lee Jr.

Condition: Excellent

LBT-#19