Rare Graphic Art Collection Gives Viewers Feel for War-Time Sacrifices,
Connection to “Greatest Generation”
The Frontiers of Flight Museum will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I with a dynamic collection of rare vintage poster art including recruiting, propaganda and home front morale images from World Wars I and II. They include the poster that created the iconic image of "Uncle Sam." The collection has been accumulated over several decades by one of Dallas’ toughest trial lawyers, Rogge Dunn, and can be enjoyed by the public August 14, 2014, through January 31, 2015.
The exhibit enables viewers to experience the atmosphere and attitudes of the war generations and gives viewers a feel for the war-time sacrifices made by America's "Greatest Generation." The display includes more than three dozen works of graphic and rare art from France, Germany, England, Russia and the United States, which highlight significant aspects of world history. Featured works include:
- the most famous U.S. poster of all-time: James Montgomery Flagg’s image of Uncle Sam pointing and proclaiming “I Want You”
- the most famous French WWI poster capitalizing on the "On les Aura!" (“We shall get them”) phrase coined by French General Pétain during the bloody battle of Verdun
- an impressive stone lithograph of a WWI German pilot posing like the famous German ace, the Red Baron
- an original pamphlet given to American troops just prior to them boarding transports for the D-Day Invasion
The images are provocative and even disturbing, as they show the horrors of war in an effort to encourage citizens to enlist, work hard and avoid waste to protect the homeland. Despite their age, many are timeless, including Joseph Pennell’s 1918 poster promoting war bonds, which shows New York City on fire, an eerie prediction of the 9/11 attacks.
Dunn's collection has been displayed in the Hall of State during the State Fair of Texas and was showcased to excellent reviews at the museum in 2007. It's back by popular demand with several unseen, rare works.
“This unique exhibit is significant for both its historical and educational value,” says Cheryl Sutterfield-Jones, Chief Executive Officer, Frontiers of Flight Museum. “Several of the posters have an aviation theme, and all of them sought to influence public opinion and support their nation’s war effort.”
“Before radio, television and the internet, posters were a main form of mass communication,” said Dunn. "Their beauty and thoughtfulness is rarely seen in today's fast-paced world.
“As an attorney, I am intrigued by their power to persuade, and I incorporate many of their visual and persuasive techniques in my jury trials,” said Dunn, who began collecting graphic art while studying at the London School of Economics in 1977. He was impressed by the powerfully stark visuals in a London subway poster warning riders about unattended packages in the midst of Irish Republican Army bombings. As a future attorney, he appreciated the simple, yet compelling presentation. Dunn is a native Dallasite and fifth generation Texan who handles business and employment litigation with the law firm of Clouse Dunn LLP.
Dunn’s collection of graphic art combines his love of history, rhetoric and the art of persuasion. His collection includes more than 250 works from 20+ countries dating from 1883 to the present. Many of his posters are in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Smithsonian Institution, and London’s Victoria and Albert Museum.
The Frontiers of Flight Museum is located at 6911 Lemmon Avenue (at University) in Dallas, at the southeast corner of Dallas Love Field Airport. Over 30 aircraft and space vehicles are on display, including the Command Module from the Apollo 7 space mission, the only flight simulator ever built for the SR-71 “Blackbird” spy plane, the only moon rock in North Texas, and thousands of rare aviation artifacts, photos and memorabilia. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Regular admission rates are $8 for adults; $6 for seniors (65+); $5 for children/youth ages 3 through 17; and free for children under age 3. For more information, call (214) 350-1651 or visit www.flightmuseum.com.