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Author:
Title: [Golden Age DC Merchandise]
Place Published: Superman Keep Your School All-American" Pro-Tolerance Poster"
Publisher:
Date Published: National Comics Pub., Inc.
Description: 1950Full-color poster measuring 16½x12". Artist unknown, but Superman looks like he was drawn by Wayne Boring, while the other figures may be the work of Ramona Fredon or, perhaps, Win Mortimer. With "Allied Printing" union imprint and corner credit reading: "Poster By Institute for American Democracy, Inc. / New York City." Very good condition, horizontal center fold, small pinholes in corners, small soil spot to top margin not affecting image area. Heritage sold a copy in similar condition for $4440 in 7/22. According to openculture.com, the same image was used in 1949 on brown paper book covers distributed to school children by the Institute For American Democracy, an offshoot of the New York-based Anti-Defamation League.Picture Perfect: "If YOU hear anybody talk against a schoolmate or anyone else because of his religion, race or national origin — don't wait: tell him THAT KIND OF TALK IS UN-AMERICAN." This rare DC plea for racial tolerance is illustrated on page 122 of Russ Cochran's 1988 book, The Adventures of Superman Collecting, with the caption: "The colorful 12x16½" poster pictured above was published by the Institute for American Democracy, Inc. in 1950."

"In a recently much circulated image of a 1950s-era color poster, Superman can be seen speaking to school children about the importance of respecting diversity. Only a tiny number of these posters are thought to still exist and little information remains about how the poster came to be.... While the author of Superman's reminder of the American creed is unknown, the art is believed to be by noted Superman artist Wayne Boring." — "Superman: A Classic Message Restored." DC.com, August 25, 2017.

Despite Superman's egalitarian bluster on this poster, DC mags were pretty much racially homogeneous until both Black Lightning and John Stewart, the black Green Lantern, debuted in 1971, which makes this poster even more of an enigma. The nearest antecedent that we can identify is a Jack Schiff scripted, John Daly illustrated "Johnny Everyman" story published in World's Finest #17 (1945). The story features two African-American WWII vets who discover to their dismay that, despite their heroism fighting fascism, they aren't welcome to dine in segregated eateries back home. Just as the black vets give way to despair, Johnny Everyman shows up, invites them to dine in a whites-only hash joint as his guest, and peps them up with a heartfelt speech that anticipates Superman's schpiel on this poster: "You're pretty bitter, Ralph, and I don't blame you! But don't go off the beam... You're forgetting a lot of things.... You're forgetting the steps being taken by the government to eliminate discrimination and realize real racial equality.... I have faith in the people and our great heritage of democracy. They won't fail us!"****************************************
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