The 304 Civil War posters presented in this collection are primarily recruiting posters, but they also include auction and meeting advertisements. They date from the earliest days of the war through March 1865.

The posters were published in Maine, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. Most come from New York, with New Jersey and Pennsylvania also well represented. One military unit with a large number of posters was the 104th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment, (Ringgold Regiment), whose commanding officer, W.H.H. Davis, was also the printer of the posters. New York units that are well represented include the 132nd and 139th New York Infantry Regiments.

The recruiting posters enticed men with patriotic appeals, enlistment bonuses, and promises of well supplied units with experienced officers. Patriotic imagery contributed to the appeal, and included eagles with wings spread, a cavalry officer with raised sword, a horrific battle scene contrasted with a peaceful scene in a northern village, and images of George Washington and other patriotic figures. Some posters were designed to appeal to certain segments of the population, and include posters in German, or with harps and shamrocks to appeal to an Irish constituency.

The thirty-one items that are not strictly recruiting posters include announcements of meetings, an auction, and drives for blankets, or for other charitable purposes. Many of the meetings were rallies at the beginning of the war, where weighty issues such as "Treason and rebellion or the constitution the union and the laws! Which will you choose?" were "discussed." One poster announces an excursion to the Sanitary Fair in Philadelphia, another a concert to raise money for the Soldier's Aid Society.

The posters range in size from 6 x 12 inches to 56 x 42 inches. They were printed in letterpress, many with wood-engraved illustrations. Most were presented in black and white, but some were printed in color, or were hand-colored after printing.