Name/Title
Mediterranean Islands #16 Patriotic [Cover]Description
Black and white cachet of Turkish islands, Corsica, and Sardinia by Lannie Smith to portray “Sept 21, 1943 — Group of Mediterranean Islands occupied by American and British Liberation Forces.” This cover is of only the printed black and white design, before Lannie hand painted the colors.Context
As they went about their daily tasks, Texans on the home front gathered around their radios, eagerly read the daily news, watched newsreels at local movie houses and studied maps of foreign countries to learn the latest about the war overseas. Lannie Smith, of Port Neches, was the oldest of a large family, with five brothers and three sisters. He had a watch making and repair business in Houston and at one time returned to the family home in San Augustine after losing a leg in an accident. During World War II, Lannie produced a limited set of patriotic covers - most with maps or important war events. His artwork is unique with hand painted color on top of printed black and white design. This cover portrays Allied forces landing on Sardinia on 14 September 1943 and the last German troops expelled on the 18th.