When I wrote about the NOS Charley Parker travel posters — available cheap from the U.S. Government Printing Office — I also saw these Homeland Security Threat Level Posters for sale in Uncle Sam’s online bookstore. A set of five posters spotlighting the five levels of security alerts: Will these become historically significant artifacts around the year 2050, give or take a few? I tend to think: Yes.
In post-World War II America, there were posters created about the nuclear threat. Before that, posters about aiding the war effort. Before that, posters about surviving the Great Depression. Original copies of these are pretty sought after today, I think. I’m a late baby boomer, and there have been many events in my life. But for me, 9/11 was more “defining” than any other. So it seems to compute that FEMA and Homeland Security Threat Level Signs will also be among most potent printed memories from today’s time.
At first I hesitated to feature these posters… because of the seriousness of their intended use… because of the reason they even exist in the first place. This is not something to LOL about. But, I know that several readers bought them when they went to look at the Harper posters. So, I’ll put ’em out there. Something to save for the grandkids to help Explain. $14 for the complete set of five, with free shipping, from the U.S. Government Printing Office.
By the way, I ordered all the Charley Harper posters available — yes, hoarding — and they are pretty rockin’ fantastic.
BrigittaV says
I really enjoy the fabulous vintage posters that you feature here.This one has made me remember about reproductions of charming classic South Shore Line posters from past eras. They are available at http://www.southshoreartsonline.org/gifts/index.htm
The South Shore line, which is the only remaining inter-urban electric train line, still runs between South Bend, IN and Chicago, along the southern shore line of Lake Michigan. For the folks who live in the vicinity of the electric train, it is a great way to take a day trip to Chicago. The last stop is Randolph St, very near the Art Institute.
Cheryl Warren says
My NOS Parker posters each came rolled in its on very study tube. Now I just need to get them framed and up on the wall in the breakfast area.
I”m struggling searching for some of the gallery photos that were on the blog before it moved…. getting some crashes. I’m going to try from the home PC this evening.
pam kueber says
Cheryl, the only part of the blog that moved was the forum for buying/selling kitchen cabinets…. ?
Tina says
I ordered these from the site that day and they arrived the other day. I haven’t opened the package yet… it’s still leaning against the wall in my home office. The amazing thing is that these come FLAT!
I think they will be significant artifacts someday. I hope my kids will remember that we took advantage of every rise in the threat level by taking impromptu and very cheap weekend vacations to New York City. We live in the DC suburbs, so any threat would be very real to us here, too. We figured we’d take advantage of cheap hotel rooms and relatively empty NYC restaurants.
pam kueber says
wow, flat??? I ordered some yesterday, will be interesting to see them… maybe I will leave them NOS MIB though!