Spectacular 1942 Wilson cardboard advertising poster with a football/baseball/WWII theme. Measuring 23 1/2" x 18", the piece is a large-format version of a print advertisement that appeared in the June 6, 1942 issue of Collier's. The poster pictures soldiers marching in formation, surrounded by scenes of battle, with baseball, tennis and football scenes in the foreground, unmistakably juxtaposing sports and military images in a "battle" theme. The piece includes a pullout quote from General MacArthur, stating "On the fields of friendly strife are sown the seeds which, in other years on other fields will bear the fruits of victory." The lower-left corner of the piece depicts a variety of Wilson sporting equipment, above which the president and chairman of Wilson make the case that through sports, men learn the "will to win" that make them great soldiers (and Wilson sporting goods, undoubtedly, assist them to that end). Printed in hushed blue and brown tones, the piece does exhibit some wear in the form of creases and surface wear, most notably at the corners. A few tack holes are also evident, from mounting. The piece has been carefully mounted on foam core, held in place with a shrink film, which prevents us from examining the reverse. No signs of restoration are apparent. A dynamic piece, produced as the United States entered the war.