Operators of Small Boats — Thomas A. Byrne

Bold lettering and a speeding Coast Guard vessel define this wartime recruitment poster by Thomas A. Byrne. A small boat cuts across patterned blue water beneath oversized clouds, while red and navy typography turns the enlistment message into the dominant graphic element.

Produced in Louisiana between 1941 and 1943, the poster was created for the Federal Art Project and printed as a color silkscreen. Its limited palette, simplified forms, hand-drawn script, and direct composition are characteristic of the practical graphic language associated with WPA poster design. The original promoted U.S. Coast Guard recruitment through the station at 146 Baronne Street in New Orleans.

Artwork Details

• Artist: Thomas A. Byrne
• Title: Operators of Small Boats Enlist Now! U.S. Coast Guard
• Original title: Operators of small boats enlist now! U.S. Coast Guard / T.A. Byrne.
• Series: Work Projects Administration Poster Collection
• Date: Between 1941 and 1943
• Period: World War II era
• Place of Origin: Louisiana, United States
• Medium: Color silkscreen poster printed on board

Framed Print Details

• Fine art printing: Professional 12-color fine art printing technology produces vivid, accurate colors with strong tonal depth and significantly greater nuance than standard 4-color inkjet printing.
• Paper: Smooth premium matte paper with a clean, glare-free finish.
• Paper weight: 200 gsm (80 lb).
• Paper thickness: 0.26 mm (10.3 mils).
• Frame material: Durable pine wood.
• Frame dimensions: Approximately 20 mm (0.79 in) deep and 10–14 mm (0.4–0.6 in) wide.
• Protection: Shatterproof plexiglass protects the print while keeping the framed artwork lightweight.
• Ready to hang: A hanging kit is included, allowing the framed print to be mounted directly on the wall.
• Available sizes: Offered in a range of sizes to suit different spaces.
• Materials: Printed using FSC-certified paper and wood where available.
• Production: Each framed print is produced to order through a trusted international network of professional print studios.
• Shipping: Worldwide shipping is available.
• Made to order: There is no minimum order quantity. Each piece is printed and assembled on demand, reducing unnecessary stock and waste.

Exact frame dimensions, component availability, and production specifications may vary slightly depending on the selected size and destination.