Time's A Wastin'!

This original vintage World War II poster, titled "Time’s A-Wastin’ – Buy War Stamps Here Now!", features a dynamic illustration of a cartoon soldier—one of the instantly recognizable characters from Al Capp’s Li’l Abner comic strip. The figure is seen in full stride, charging forward with urgency, clad in a standard-issue Army helmet and carrying a rifle slung over his shoulder. With his determined expression, comically exaggerated limbs, and forward-leaning posture, the character embodies both patriotic resolve and the strip’s trademark humor. The use of Li’l Abner characters in U.S. Treasury propaganda was part of a broader strategy to leverage pop culture for patriotic purposes. With millions of readers across the country, Li’l Abner offered the government a familiar, trusted voice to promote war bonds and stamps. Posters like this were displayed in post offices, schools, and shops, encouraging Americans to financially support the war through small but impactful contributions. Al Capp (1909–1979) was one of America’s most influential cartoonists. Li’l Abner, his satirical comic strip about the fictional town of Dogpatch, ran from 1934 to 1977 and became a cultural phenomenon. Capp’s characters were used not only for entertainment but for social commentary—and during WWII, for public service. His collaboration with the U.S. government to produce posters like this represents a landmark use of comic art in official propaganda, blending humor with civic urgency. 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.