Japanese WWII Propaganda Posters for Street Performers Appraisal
Category: Historical Ephemera
Description
Two original hand-painted Japanese propaganda posters dating from 1938-1943, depicted in watercolor. The top poster shows two Japanese pilots in a cockpit. The bottom poster shows Japanese pilots and biplanes on the ground. These posters were used by Japanese street performers during WWII.
Appraisal Report
These are two original Japanese propaganda posters from WWII, specifically between 1938 and 1943, intended for street performers. The top poster depicts pilots in a cockpit, while the bottom shows pilots with biplanes. These types of ephemera from the WWII era, especially propaganda from the Japanese perspective during this specific timeframe, are uncommon. The fact that they were used by street performers adds a layer of social and historical context, making them potentially more appealing to collectors of historical artifacts, militaria, and propaganda art. The hand-painted style suggests they were likely created for public display and storytelling. Condition and size would heavily influence the value, but assuming these are in good to very good condition for their age, the market for such items is niche but strong among dedicated collectors. Similar Japanese propaganda posters from this period can fetch varying prices depending on the subject matter, rarity, artist (if known), and condition. Given the subject matter and stated use case (street performers), these have a historical and social interest beyond just typical war propaganda.
Appraisal Value
500-1000