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Original typed letter on letterhead of the Committee on Public
Information, Washington, D.C. — the U.S. government agency created by
President Woodrow Wilson and chaired by George Creel during World War I
to shape public opinion and support for the war effort. Letterhead lists
Creel as Chairman, alongside the Secretary of State, Secretary of War, and
Secretary of the Navy.
The letter, from the Division of Pictures, is addressed to a minister or
church, offering for sale illustrated lantern slide lecture sets
(\"prepared by leading representatives of the federated national religious
bodies\") documenting wartime destruction of cathedrals and churches by
German forces, intended to \"arouse the interest of each individual\" in
support of the war. Pricing for slide sets (40, 30, 20, or 10 slides) and
lecture scripts is itemized in detail, along with ordering instructions.
Signed in ink by L.E. Rubel, Director, Division of Pictures.
This is an original primary-source document from the CPI, one of the most
significant and controversial propaganda operations in U.S. history —
of real interest to collectors and researchers of WWI history, American
propaganda and public relations history (Creel\'s committee is a
foundational case study in the field), and religious/church history
during wartime.
Condition: please review all photos closely. Letter shows fold lines,
light creasing, and a small area of paper thinning/wear near a fold.
Text remains fully legible throughout. Sold as-is.
