Vintage Cardstock Smallpox Quarantine Warning Sign
c. 1920s-1930s; Public Health Service - United States
Bold red and black printed quarantine notice reading "SMALLPOX KEEP OUT" on thick card stock. Issued by local or state health departments, these signs were posted on infected homes to enforce isolation during outbreaks of smallpox, a highly contagious and often deadly disease that remained a major public health concern in the early 20th century. The notice warns that violators faced fines up to $200 or six months in jail, underscoring the seriousness with which containment efforts were legislated before the widespread success of vaccination campaigns.
Smallpox was one of the first diseases to prompt systematic quarantine signage in America, with these bright red warnings serving as both legal documentation and visual deterrents to entry. By mid-century, aggressive vaccination programs led by the World Health Organization eventually eradicated the disease globally by 1980, making early quarantine signage like this a stark reminder of pre-modern epidemic control practices.
Exhibits minor signs of wear including some creasing and rips. Please refer to photos regarding condition.
14" W x 11" H
MM - 031424 - C-8207
JP - 110525
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