In 1924, The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals paired with the New York Women’s League for Animals (a women’s auxiliary chapter to the main organization that later led to the establishment of the Animal Medical Center) to host a poster contest for children. Poster and drawing contests had at this point long been used by the humane movement as an incentive to encourage children to learn about kindness to animals. Contests like this, supporting all types of causes, seemed to be having a revival in the early 1920s. I’m not sure exactly why, but if you know, I’d surely love to hear about it.

Now, I personally LOVE a picture of an animal drawn by a kid. The way children interpret animals is just so, so special and unique. Unfortunately, of course, almost all of these posters and drawings have been lost to time. You can imagine my delight when I stumbled upon the “Poster Primer” book in the North Carolina State University Archives, preserving the winning posters from this specific contest. You can see the specific themes popular to the humane movement’s work reflected in the art itself; blanketing your horse and watching their burden. Adopting a stray outdoor cat (although note the lack of the word “adopt.”) Not wearing feathers. There’s even one encouraging licensing.

I was able to also find a few clippings about the contest itself, and learned they were exhibited in the ASPCA’s headquarter building on Madison Avenue, with prizes presented. Enjoy the articles and posters below.

-Audrey