Second Liberty Loan poster outside The Bon Marche, Seattle, October 14, 1917 (MOHAI 10440)

In 1917, during World War I, the U. S. government borrowed money to pay for the war effort by selling war bonds, known as Liberty Bonds. The Second Liberty Loan aimed to raise $3 billion.
During the Second Liberty Loan campaign, a huge replica of a James Montgomery Flagg recruiting poster stood outside the Bon Marche in downtown Seattle. The image was gradually completed as people bought bonds. At this point, with 1/3 of the figure completed, some $4.5 million had been raised locally. The goal for Seattle's quota was $13 million, as indicated by the thermometer to the right of the soldier.
Caption information derived from captions written by Post-Intelligencer staff and attached to the back of the photograph.
Subjects (LCTGM): Fund raising--Washington (State)--Seattle; Ferris wheels--Washington (State)--Seattle; War bonds & funds--United States; World War, 1914-1918