Git Mad!

This original vintage World War II poster features the beloved comic strip character **Li’l Abner** in a patriotic call to action: *"Git Mad – Buy War Stamps Here Now!"* Created as part of the U.S. government’s war bond and war stamp campaigns, this poster uses humor and familiarity to engage the American public in supporting the war effort. With clenched fists, wide eyes, and his trademark backwoods drawl, Li’l Abner is depicted in classic exaggerated comic style—angrily urging citizens to turn their frustration into financial support for the military.

This piece stands out among wartime propaganda for its use of pop culture to inspire civic action. Li’l Abner, the creation of cartoonist **Al Capp**, had been a mainstay in American newspapers since 1934. By the time of WWII, the comic strip was a cultural juggernaut, read daily by millions and beloved for its satirical, often subversive take on American life. The U.S. Treasury Department harnessed this popularity by collaborating with Capp to produce several posters featuring characters from the fictional town of Dogpatch, making the act of purchasing war stamps both patriotic and personal.

Al Capp (1909–1979) was a highly influential American cartoonist best known for *Li’l Abner*, which ran in newspapers for over four decades. He was celebrated not just for his artistic style, but for his keen ability to blend humor with biting social commentary. During WWII, Capp offered his characters to the U.S. government as part of the propaganda effort—one of the first instances of syndicated comic art being used on such a national, official scale.

This poster is a prime example of how the government infused pop culture into its messaging to reach Americans across social and economic lines. It also reflects the broader wartime trend of enlisting celebrities and cultural figures in the push for domestic involvement and sacrifice.

This is an Original Vintage Poster; it is not a reproduction. It is conservation mounted, linen backed, and in excellent condition. We guarantee the authenticity of all our posters.