US careless talk text only orange poster warning about suspicious people
Extent and Medium
overall: Height: 22.875 inches (58.103 cm) | Width: 22.000 inches (55.88 cm)
Creator(s)
- United States Government Printing Office (Printer)
- United States War Department (Distributor)
- United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (Issuer)
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 text only poster warning people to watch out for and report any suspicious people or rumors co-produced with the FBI [Federal Bureau of Investigation] and the Office of War Information. It was part of the careless talk series of US propaganda posters distributed by the OWI, set in June 1942 to manage the war on the Home Front by disseminating ideas, propaganda, and information about the war, 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 lithographed text only poster with black text on an orange-red field with a black border. There is hreadline, WARNING from the FBI, then 4 paragraphs warning about suspicious people and rumors, and the FBI seal and signature.
Subjects
- Propaganda, American--Posters--Specimens.
- World War, 1939-1945--Posters--Specimens.
- National security--United States--Posters--Specimens.
- United States--Social life and customs--1918-1945--Posters--Specimens.
- World War, 1939-1945--United States--Posters.
- Espionage--United States--Prevention--Posters--Specimens.
- War posters, American--Specimens.
- World War, 1939-1945--Covert operations--Posters--Specimens.
- World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Posters--Specimens.
Genre
- Posters
- Object