2nd Liberty Bond Loan (1917)

As we approach the 100th anniversary of the US entering World War I in 1917, we should remember that wars take money to wage.  One of the ways of financing a war plus keeping prices down is to try to sell bonds.

In 1917 the 2nd Liberty Bond campaign was held in the early fall which eventually raised $3.8 billion from bonds sold at 3% interest to 9.4 million people.  These bonds were for 25 years redeemable after 10 years.

The United States Post Office Department was an integral part of the publicity for the bond campaign utilizing its canceling machines with a special slogan "BUY NOW U.S. GOVERNMENT BONDS 2ND LIBERTY LOAN".

Most postal stations in NYC used the slogan in October 1917.  The same slogan was also used at major   US cities during the same month.

From the Postal Bulletin (October 5, 1917)

NYC:  Hudson Terminal Station

NYC: Madison Square Station

NYC:  Wall Street Station #2

Brooklyn:  Station B