The slogans of war

Young Chang

Gustav Vafadari wishes someone would add a contemporary dimension to

the 1943 poster titled “Americans Will Always Fights For Liberty,” by

artists identified only as Perlin and Martin.

The World War II picture shows troops and founding fathers from 1778

on the left, and soldiers from 1943 on the right. Vafadari, owner of the

Nottingham Art and Frame Gallery in Newport Beach, says someone should

include the date 2001 on the poster and link wars of the past to today’s

war against terrorism.

“It’s all the same,” he said. “World War II, fighting terrorism --

it’s picking up arms to defend freedom.”

More than 30 original war posters belonging to private Costa Mesa

collector Gerry Rubin hang at the gallery. Each has a motivational slogan

encouraging citizens to do everything from buy war bonds to keep their

mouths shut and not leak information to the enemy.

They are done in a genre between pop art and cartoons, and they remind

onlookers today that war isn’t merely found in history books.

The exhibit opened last week to commemorate the 60th anniversary of

Pearl Harbor and will continue to be up -- and for sale -- at the framing

business/gallery through Dec. 24.

“I really love the imagery of the [posters], the quality, the style,”

Rubin, 33, said. “It’s really just a combination of restoration and

collecting, so they don’t just ball into obscurity.”

Divided into five sections titled “Espionage,” “Recruiting,” “War

Bonds,” “Rockwell: The Four Freedoms” and “Home Front,” the posters speak

messages that are more than just political, Rubin said.

“The show itself obviously is timeless because the messages that are

coming across are as good today as they were 60 years ago,” said the

collector.

One 1943 poster, by an artist named John Phillip Falter, reads: “If

you tell where he’s going . . . he may never get there.” The picture

shows a sailor in his uniform energetically carrying what looks like a

heavy duffel bag on his way to active duty. The message emphasizes the

importance of secrecy during a war.

“The amazing thing about the posters is that they are originals from

World War II, but they are in excellent shape. The colors have not faded,

they have been put in museum-quality framing,” Vafadari said.

Norman Rockwell’s famous “Four Freedoms,” originals from World War II,

are the most visible in the gallery. The first illustrates freedom from

fear, showing parents tucking their young children into bed. The father

has a newspaper folded under his arm. Part of the top headline reads

“Bombings . . .”

At the center of the exhibit is an original, army green Indian

motorcycle from World War II, loaned by Gen. William Lyon, who served in

World War II and lives in Coto de Caza today.

“With what’s going on in the world and the tragedy in New York City,

so many people are more aware of what’s going on around us right now, but

also about World War II and patriotism,” Vafadari said.

FYI

WHAT: Original World War II posters exhibit

WHEN: Through Dec. 24. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday

through Friday; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

WHERE: Nottingham Art and Frame Gallery, 4229 Birch St., Newport Beach

COST: Free

CALL: (949) 833-1770