This is a 1918 photograph of thousands of people forming the U.S. Shield. It is inscribed "The Human U.S. Shield" "30,000 Officers and Men" "Camp Custer, Battle Creek, MICH." and dated 1918, "Mole & Thomas". A view of the camp can be seen across the top, behind the people. Mole & Thomas of Chicago became famous for staging these photos where large groups of people formed images that were only visible from a tall viewing tower. They would spend days setting up the image, taking test photos with smaller groups to work out the perspective. This is one of their more famous images, involving the largest group.

This is an original silver gelatin photograph in a fairly worn wooden frame, not a modern reprint. The frame measures 11 5/8" wide by 14" high by 3/4" thick. We have not examined the photo out of the frame, but it appears to be in very good condition with minor warping, as if it had been rolled before framing. There is faint silvering in the darker areas of the photo, normal for a print of this type and age. The paper on the back of the frame is very worn.

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