US careless talk poster of a soldier warning people to guard their words
Extent and Medium
overall: Height: 27.500 inches (69.85 cm) | Width: 19.500 inches (49.53 cm)
Creator(s)
- Jes W. Schlaikjer (Artist)
- Adjutant-General's Office, United States, Army Service Forces (Issuer)
- United States Government Printing Office (Printer)
- United States Office of War Information (Distributor)
Biographical History
The United States Office of War Information (OWI) was created on June 13, 1942, to centralize and control the content and production of government information and propaganda about the war. It coordinated the release of war news for domestic use, and using posters along with radio broadcasts, worked to promote patriotism, warn about foreign spies, and recruit women into war work. The office also established an overseas branch, which launched a large-scale information and propaganda campaign abroad. The government appealed to the public through popular culture and more than a quarter of a billion dollars' worth of advertising was donated during the first three years of the National Defense Savings Program. Victory in Europe was declared on May 8, 1945, and in Japan on September 2, 1945. The OWI ceased operation in September.
Archival History
The poster was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 1988 by David and Zelda Silberman.
Acquisition
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of David and Zelda Silberman
Funding Note: The cataloging of this artifact has been supported by a grant from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.
Scope and Content
US careless talk poster featuring a helmeted soldier with rifle, in combat, to remind people that their careless talk on the home front could put him in danger on the battlefield. The careless talk series of US propaganda posters was an Army Services project, distributed by the Office of War Information. The need to manage the war on the Home Front led to the establishment of the OWI in June 1942. This office controlled the design and distribution of war information to the American public in posters, photographs, radio shows, and films. They commissioned work from leading artists such as Jes Schlaikjer, who painted this image. In 1942, Schlaikjer became the official Artist of the US War Department. The careless talk series originated in 1940 in Great Britain. It highlighted the many ways that careless talk could leak sensitive information that our enemies would use to kill soldiers, sink ships, and undermine the war effort.
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access
Conditions Governing Reproduction
No restrictions on use
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Offset color lithographic poster with a realistic portrait painting of the face and shoulders of a combat ready soldier, with helmet and upright rifle with bayonet, looking toward the viewer with a battle hardened expression against a dark green background. The poster slogan is written across the top of the image and in a red box below. The artist's name, Schlaikjer, is printed within the image. On the back is printed postal information and the address of the recipient.
People
- Schlaikjer, Jes Wilhelm, 1987-1982.
Subjects
- National security--United States--Posters--Specimens.
- War posters, American--Specimens.
- World War, 1939-1945--United States--Posters.
- World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Posters--Specimens.
- World War, 1939-1945--Communications--Posters--Specimens.
- Propaganda, American--Posters--Specimens.
- World War, 1939-1945--Posters--Specimens.
- Espionage--United States--Prevention--Posters--Specimens.
- United States--Social life and customs--1918-1945--Posters--Specimens.
Genre
- Object
- Posters