Soldiers examining a hole, near a Liberty Ship, created by a Japanese bomb

Hole World

With my last blog, I may have inadvertently started a quest to bring Unwritten Record readers the most random finds from the Still Picture holdings.  Today, I present to you, Holes.  When I began brainstorming for this blog post, it was the first word that popped into my head (most likely due to me hitting … Continue reading Hole World

“Don’t Be a Dope”: Will Eisner’s World War II Posters

Cartoonist and writer Will Eisner (1917-2005) was one of the most significant pioneers and innovators within the 20th-century comic book industry. Eisner’s contributions are reflected in its annual awards for creative achievement that bear his name -- the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards. Though his career spanned over half of the century, Eisner is perhaps … Continue reading “Don’t Be a Dope”: Will Eisner’s World War II Posters

A Survey of Spanish Language Posters and Related Records

This post is by Daniel Dancis, a Textual Records Archivist and blogger at The Text Message. The National Archives Catalog includes digitized posters and graphics with Spanish text that run the gamut from World War II propaganda posters to contemporary public service announcements. Many of the posters were created for use abroad but there is … Continue reading A Survey of Spanish Language Posters and Related Records

Double Take II: Finding Posters within Photos

This post is by Daniel Dancis, a Textual Records Archivist and blogger at The Text Message. When is a photograph more than just a photograph?   Of the millions of digitized images in the National Archives Catalog it is always a thrill to find something new in an old picture. Even more, discovering a connection between two or … Continue reading Double Take II: Finding Posters within Photos

Visual Cues and Clues: Looking ON the Photo

Photograph of Researcher in the Central Search Room of the National Archives Building. 64-PR-20-1, NAID: 74228254 In this edition of Visual Cues and Clues, let’s step outside the box and explore photographs from a different angle. Instead of looking at what’s in the photograph, let’s explore what’s on the photograph. Markings, emblems, and logos sometimes … Continue reading Visual Cues and Clues: Looking ON the Photo

Posters of Early 20th Century Passenger Ships

In addition to photographs, the Still Picture Branch maintains several series of posters within its holdings. Recently added to the online catalog, series 85-P: Passenger Ship Posters, ca. 1906-1957 includes posters and schedules advertising European and U.S. passenger services for travel across the Atlantic and around the world in the early 20th century. Along with … Continue reading Posters of Early 20th Century Passenger Ships

We Can Do It!: World War II Posters at the Still Picture Branch

Many recognize Rosie the Riveter’s “We Can Do It!” or Uncle Sam’s “I Want You” posters from World War II. Just as the posters created a rousing call to the public at the time of their creation, they also serve as hallmarks of the Second World War. The Still Picture Branch at the National Archives … Continue reading We Can Do It!: World War II Posters at the Still Picture Branch

Wartime Reading: The Library War Service

Poster used in A.L.A. Campaign for books, Camp Meade (165-WW-33D-5, NAID 20801784) When America entered World War I in 1917, the American Library Association decided to take part in the war effort by establishing the Library War Service.  Its purpose was to provide library services to American soldiers in training camps and overseas.  The Association … Continue reading Wartime Reading: The Library War Service

Food and the War Effort

Poster, "Uncle Sam Says-Garden To Cut Food Costs" circa 1925 Record Group 287 Still Pictures Identifier: 287-PA1.32:G16 NAID Identifier: 541773 Throughout history, we have seen how government has played a role in the way we do things, such as eating.  This was true during the first and second World Wars.  At the time, government agencies … Continue reading Food and the War Effort

Double Take: Making Visual Connections in the National Archives Catalog

This post was written by Daniel Dancis. Daniel is a Textual Records Archivist who blogs at The Text Message. Do you remember the card game “memory,” also known as “concentration”? It involves setting up a deck of cards face side down and each player turning over two cards per turn. If the two cards turned … Continue reading Double Take: Making Visual Connections in the National Archives Catalog