An Interesting Original c.1942 Vintage WWII Period Poster; Warning Be On Your Guard

SOLD

Origin: English
Period: Mid Twentieth Century
Provenance: Unknown
Date: c.1941-44
Height: 16.25 inches
Width: 11.25 inches
Condition: B+
Poster Dimensions 15.25 x 10.25 inches


The original World War II ‘Careless Talk’ propaganda poster printed for H.M. Stationery office by Graycaine Ltd of Watford & London, set against a buff background held within a red and black border, showing a red sovereign's crown, with the slogan below: WARNING Thousands of lives were lost in the last war because valuable information was given away to the enemy through careless talk BE ON YOUR GUARD.

Condition is very good; there is some light creasing where the poster has been folded prior to being framed, the vibrant colours still very with no loss.

In the climate of total war, enemy espionage, spy networks and secret operations seemed a real and ever-present danger. In the public mind, this perception was developed and exploited by governments in their propaganda. Personal gossip and indiscretion presented a threat to national security; information being passed, deliberately or innocently to enemy agents had the potential to cause military and civilian casualties. The danger presented in war time propaganda was generally exaggerated, but as the risk existed, the public, and those in active service, could be made to feel that they were doing something positive for the war effort by keeping sensitive information about themselves or their jobs to themselves.

This is a rare chance to own Imperial War Museum quality ephemera and hang it in proudly in ones downstairs toilet. Yes.

image/svg+xml