L’Emprunt de la Libération

Vexillological victory over the Kaiser in World War I.

This striking World War I poster was published in 1918 to encourage public support for the 4th French National Defense Bond, popularly known as the Libération Bond. Flags of the Allied Powers – France, Great Britain, the United States, Italy, Russia, and Belgium – converge on a kneeling Wilhelm II, sword broken and wrapped in a white cloak of surrender. The implication is that with defeat also comes blame for the war. From the Imperial War Museum:

“The Kaiser bows humbly beneath the flags of France’ allies, sword broken in an ultimate sign of military dishonour and defeat. This is an interesting poster in that the German leader is portrayed almost sympathetically and without the element of caricature found in many posters of German figures.”

The patriotic image was illustrated by Abel Faivre, a French illustrator and cartoonist who created several propaganda posters during World War I. Printed in Paris in 1918 by Devambez.

Sources: Imperial War Museum; National Bank of Paris;