Prestito nazionale... [National Bond Issue]

First World War Italian poster promoting investment in a National war bond issue. It features a striking image by the Neopolitan poster artist Mario Borgioni of a young Italian infantryman desperately defending a torn Italian flag he has grasped in his left hand from unseen attackers. He is holding a short sword in his right hand his forearm bandaged. The title text printed in black ink is positioned below the image, which reads 'National Loan'. This poster is incomplete with considerable text missing from the lower half. Mario Borgoni (1869-1936) was an Italian artist and poster designer, best known for his Art Deco travel posters. He made the transition from fine arts to commercial art after studying art in Naples. His posters included ornate illustrations, the use of dramatic gestures and stylised, romantic scenes. In 1905 he began a long association with the printing company, Richter and Co., eventually becoming the Artistic Director of this company. Throughout his career he produced hundreds of posters, brochures and promotional material, including hotel luggage labels, for ENIT, the official Italian tourism agency.