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Original World War I-era patriotic lithograph titled “The Love of Freedom,” copyright 1917 by M.A. Stern of Chicago.
This striking image features Uncle Sam holding a rifle beneath a sweeping American flag, with a young man and woman incorporated into the flag above him. The lower portion depicts a detailed military encampment with soldiers, tents and additional American flag imagery.
The artwork is attributed to illustrator Ezio Anichini and is a strong example of early 20th-century American patriotic poster art.
The lower portion is printed:
“THE LOVE OF FREEDOM”
and retains the original copyright marking:
“COPYRIGHT 1917 BY M.A. STERN, CHICAGO”
What makes this particular example especially appealing is its remarkably strong color retention. The reds, blues and overall contrast remain vivid and visually striking for a paper lithograph dating to 1917. Many surviving examples of this image show significant fading, while this piece still retains excellent depth and saturation.
For collectors of antique paper, this level of color preservation is especially important, as framing can always be changed, but original color lost to fading cannot be restored.
The piece measures approximately:
20" H × 16" W
Printed on paper and currently displayed beneath glass with foam-board backing.
There is age-related wear consistent with a piece more than 100 years old, including light toning, creasing and surface wear. The image remains complete and presents extremely well overall.
A distinctive piece of genuine WWI-era Americana and an excellent addition to a collection of Uncle Sam imagery, patriotic artwork, military history, American flags, antique posters or early 20th-century illustration.
Please review all photographs carefully, as they are considered part of the condition description.
