US careless talk poster depicting a burning ship
Extent and Medium
overall: Height: 28.000 inches (71.12 cm) | Width: 22.000 inches (55.88 cm)
Creator(s)
- United States Government Printing Office (Printer)
- United States Office of War Information (Distributor)
- Adjutant-General's Office, United States, Army Service Forces (Issuer)
- Anton O. Fischer (Artist)
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 depicting sailors in ripped clothing in a lifeboat with a burning tanker nearby as a warning to people to guard what they say because it could put military personnel in danger. The careless talk series of US propaganda posters was an Army Services project, distributed by the Office of War Information. This office was set up in June 1942 to manage the war on the Home Front by disseminating ideas, propaganda, and information about the war effort, such as the dangers of enemy spies. The OWI controlled the design and distribution of war information to the American public in posters, photographs, radio shows, and films. 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 reproduction of a painting depicting the bow of a brown burning tanker in ¾ left profile on left and a lifeboat full of sailors on right amidst a blue and yellow sea. Red and yellow flames leap from the 3 storied square superstructure in the center of the ship, and from the water on right, sending large black smoke curling upward. In the right foreground is a lifeboat with 2 men in ripped shirts on left, one sitting with his head down and his arms folded across his knees, the other laying in the bottom of the boat. To the right are 3 overlapping men rowing oars and in front are 3 men in blue shirts and brown life vests looking at the sinking ship. The artist’s name is within the image in the bottom left.
Subjects
- World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Posters--Specimens.
- World War, 1939-1945--Posters--Specimens.
- Espionage--United States--Prevention--Posters--Specimens.
- World War, 1939-1945--United States--Posters.
- United States--Social life and customs--1918-1945--Posters--Specimens.
- Propaganda, American--Posters--Specimens.
- National security--United States--Posters--Specimens.
- World War, 1939-1945--Covert operations--Posters--Specimens.
- War posters, American--Specimens.
Genre
- Object
- Posters