Propaganda & Art

Martin Marietta | Major Defense Contractor

Martin Marietta Desert Storm Poster Two-Sided Military Equipment 'Elements of Storm' - Soldier: 'We Were There'

This uncommon two-sided promotional artifact documents the intersection of corporate defense marketing and the tactical reality of Operation Desert Storm.

A dual-purpose artifact of the Persian Gulf War, this poster serves as a 'corporate resume' for Martin Marietta’s contributions to Operation Desert Storm. Featuring technical photography of missiles and aircraft on one side and a patriotic 'We Were There' graphic on the reverse, it represents a high-grade specimen of 1990s military-industrial complex ephemera.

KEY FEATURES
+++ Visuals: Features nine toned photographs of military equipment—including missiles, aircraft, and ground vehicles—set over a muted map of the Middle East theater. 
+++ Binding: Two-sided lithographic poster on heavy stock. 
+++ Content: Technical descriptions of Martin Marietta hardware on the obverse; artistic 'We Were There' soldier rendering on the reverse. 
+++ Imprint: Martin Marietta; [c. 1991]. 
+++ Specs: 14 x 22 inches.

CONDITION: Fine. This is a gift-quality specimen showing no flaws or blemishes. The paper is crisp with no evidence of pinholes, tape residue, or edge wear typical of posters from this era. The colors remain vibrant and the surface is free of handling creases.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE —
Operation Desert Storm (1991) marked a significant shift in the public perception of high-tech warfare. As a major defense contractor, Martin Marietta produced the precision-guided rockets and armored vehicles that defined the 'smart bomb' era of this conflict.

This poster was likely produced for internal distribution, trade shows, or recruitment, rather than general public consumption, contributing to its current scarcity on the secondary market. In 1995, Martin Marietta merged with Lockheed to form Lockheed Martin, making this a final-era artifact of the independent Marietta brand.

SCHOLARLY FEATURES
+++ Corporate Branding: Illustrates how defense contractors utilized the immediate aftermath of Operation Desert Storm to brand their hardware as essential 'Elements of the Storm'.
+++ Technical Documentation: Provides a geographic and descriptive record of specific Martin Marietta missiles and vehicles used in the conflict.
+++ Propaganda & Art: The 'We Were There' side serves as a primary document of early 1990s military-industrial pride and the domestic marketing of the Gulf War.

SUBJECTS: Gulf War, Desert Storm, Martin Marietta, military equipment, corporate military history, 1990s memorabilia, Ephemera, Military Poster, Corporate Archive.

Item #20999

Price: $80.00