About the Artwork:

Charles Edward Chambers (1883-1941) was an American illustrator who rose to prominence during the Golden Age of American illustration. He created iconic imagery for brands and publications, but his contributions to the U.S. war effort during World War I hold particular significance. Chambers' bold and graphic style translated perfectly to wartime propaganda posters, like "Food Will Win the War," which aimed to mobilize the American public.

This poster features a group of immigrants arriving in New York Harbor, gazing up at the Statue of Liberty. They are diverse in ethnicity and dress, symbolizing the melting pot of America. The Statue of Liberty, a beacon of freedom, stands proudly in the background, bathed in a hopeful rainbow. The text at the top reads "Food Will Win the War. Wheat is Needed for the Allies," while a caption below pleads "You came here seeking freedom. Now you must help to preserve it. Waste nothing."

While the message of conserving wheat to aid the Allies is clear, the referenced American population of immigrants adds a layer of complexity. These new Americans, seeking a better life, are presented as having a stake in the war effort. The Statue of Liberty, a symbol of freedom and opportunity, reinforces the idea that preserving democracy requires a collective sacrifice.

Image courtesy of Boston Public Library, Digital Commonwealth Collections.

Geographical Indication - Pisco

This shirt is part of our exclusive collection of products that celebrate the rich heritage of food and beverages with Geographical Indication (GI) labels. GIs are special labels given to products that come from a specific place and have qualities, reputation, or characteristics unique to that location. Each item in this collection features a detailed illustration of the renowned food or beverage on the front, while the back showcases a map of the specific production region. These maps are uniquely composed of text from official European Union legal documents, describing the precise specifications that grant these items their GI status. In this collection we pay tribute to food culture and the importance of respecting origins.

About the Artwork:

This satirical print, titled "Wonderful Effects of Morrisons Vegetable Pills" and published by O'Hodgson in London, offers a humorous critique of 19th-century patent medicines. This was a period when unregulated "cure-alls," often with dubious ingredients, were widely advertised and consumed with promises of extraordinary results.

The image presents a chaotic scene. A figure, overwhelmed after consuming an excessive quantity of "Morrisons Vegetable Pills," gazes into a mirror. To their horror, their body has sprouted a bizarre profusion of vegetables: carrots, turnips, radishes, and various greens.

"Wonderful Effects of Morrisons Vegetable Pills" exaggerates the outlandish claims often made by patent medicine manufacturers. The sprouting vegetables mock the idea that a simple pill could bring about drastic physical transformation. The print cleverly exploits the connection between food and medicine to highlight the potential dangers of unregulated substances and the gullibility of the public.

Image courtesy of the National Library of Medicine Digital Collections.

Geographical Indication - Williamette Valley

This shirt is part of our exclusive collection of products that celebrate the rich heritage of food and beverages with Geographical Indication (GI) labels. GIs are special labels given to products that come from a specific place and have qualities, reputation, or characteristics unique to that location. Each item in this collection features a detailed illustration of the renowned food or beverage on the front, while the back showcases a map of the specific production region. These maps are uniquely composed of text from official European Union legal documents, describing the precise specifications that grant these items their GI status. In this collection we pay tribute to food culture and the importance of respecting origins.

About the Artwork:

Cushman Parker (1915-1991) was an Austrian-born American painter and graphic designer best known for his work during the mid-20th century. Parker was recruited by the U.S. Food Administration during World War I. Posters like "Little Americans, Do Your Bit" were part of a nationwide campaign mobilizing everyday citizens, including children, to contribute to the war effort in unexpected ways.

This poster features a young boy dressed in patriotic red, white, and blue raising his right hand in a salute. His gaze is fixed on a bowl of oatmeal in front of him, a spoon held mid-air. The text reads, "Little Americans, Do Your Bit: Eat Oatmeal, Corn Meal Mush, [...] Save the Wheat for Our Soldiers" in bold letters around the image. The final line reads, "Leave Nothing on Your Plate."

Image courtesy of the Library of Congress, Washington.

About the Artwork:

Honoré Daumier, born in 1808 in Marseille, France, was a prolific painter, sculptor, and caricaturist renowned for his sharp critique of French society and politics during the 19th century. Daumier’s work is celebrated for its satire, often focusing on the lives of the Parisian working class, the foibles of the bourgeoisie, and the corruption within the judicial system. His approach made use of lithography to reach a broad audience.

"Le bon morceau" is a striking example of Honoré Daumier's keen eye for social commentary and human behavior. The artwork depicts a diner at a table greedily eyeing a cut of meat. This figure's exaggerated features and the intense focus on the piece of meat serve to emphasize the themes of gluttony and selfishness.

Image courtesy of the National Gallery of Art, Washington via its Open Access Initiative.

Geographical Indication - Calvados

This shirt is part of our exclusive collection of products that celebrate the rich heritage of food and beverages with Geographical Indication (GI) labels. GIs are special labels given to products that come from a specific place and have qualities, reputation, or characteristics unique to that location. Each item in this collection features a detailed illustration of the renowned food or beverage on the front, while the back showcases a map of the specific production region. These maps are uniquely composed of text from official European Union legal documents, describing the precise specifications that grant these items their GI status. In this collection we pay tribute to food culture and the importance of respecting origins.

Geographical Indication - Jamón de Huelva

This shirt is part of our exclusive collection of products that celebrate the rich heritage of food and beverages with Geographical Indication (GI) labels. GIs are special labels given to products that come from a specific place and have qualities, reputation, or characteristics unique to that location. Each item in this collection features a detailed illustration of the renowned food or beverage on the front, while the back showcases a map of the specific production region. These maps are uniquely composed of text from official European Union legal documents, describing the precise specifications that grant these items their GI status. In this collection we pay tribute to food culture and the importance of respecting origins.

About the Artwork:

Herbert Roese (1905-1986) was a prolific American commercial artist and illustrator active during the mid-20th century. While Roese created illustrations for various purposes, his work for the U.S. Office of Price Administration (OPA) during World War II holds particular significance. The OPA played a crucial role in managing wartime shortages through rationing. Posters like "Rationing Means a Fair Share for Us All" aimed to explain and garner public support for this essential wartime measure.

This seemingly straightforward poster utilizes a clever visual approach to convey its message. Divided into two distinct sections, the artwork tells a story. The top half depicts a scene of frustration. A woman appears to be trying to make a purchase without success at a local butcher, with a meager offering behind the counter. While another customer leaves with her purchases, the latter figure has no options to buy from. The bottom half presents a stark contrast. Two women, each holding a ration book and a small package, smile as they leave a well-stocked butcher shop. The text "Rationing Means a Fair Share for Us All" stretches across the top, emphasizing the poster's central message.

Image courtesy of Boston Public Library Digital Commonwealth Collections.

Geographical Indication - Cognac

This shirt is part of our exclusive collection of products that celebrate the rich heritage of food and beverages with Geographical Indication (GI) labels. GIs are special labels given to products that come from a specific place and have qualities, reputation, or characteristics unique to that location. Each item in this collection features a detailed illustration of the renowned food or beverage on the front, while the back showcases a map of the specific production region. These maps are uniquely composed of text from official European Union legal documents, describing the precise specifications that grant these items their GI status. In this collection we pay tribute to food culture and the importance of respecting origins.

About the Artwork:

This advertisement card printed in the United States in 1887 is a chromolithograph that features one man and two women with the bodies of red radishes. The image is meant to be humorous and eye-catching, and served as a calling card for Rice's Seeds to promote a variety of globe radishes.

Image courtesy of Boston Public Library via the Digital Commonwealth Collection.

Geographical Indication - Beaujolais

This shirt is part of our exclusive collection of products that celebrate the rich heritage of food and beverages with Geographical Indication (GI) labels. GIs are special labels given to products that come from a specific place and have qualities, reputation, or characteristics unique to that location. Each item in this collection features a detailed illustration of the renowned food or beverage on the front, while the back showcases a map of the specific production region. These maps are uniquely composed of text from official European Union legal documents, describing the precise specifications that grant these items their GI status. In this collection we pay tribute to food culture and the importance of respecting origins.