Sold at Auction: James Montgomery Flagg

James Montgomery Flagg (1877-1960) began his illustration career at the age of 12, with contributions to Life magazine by age 14. He studied in New York at the Art Students League as well as in London and Paris. He worked in a variety of illustration styles in publishing, and rose to become the top paid illustrator at the height of his career. Flagg is best known for his patriotic recruitment posters. His most famous, "I Want You," features Uncle Sam. Flagg modeled the portrait of Uncle Sam on himself, only adding a goatee and white hair. The concept for "I Want You" was originally based on the 1914 British recruitment poster by Alfred Leete.