Don't be a dope and spread inside dope - Loose talk can cost lives thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
Request to view at the Prints & Drawings Study Room, level C , Case Y, Shelf 62, Box E

Don't be a dope and spread inside dope - Loose talk can cost lives

Poster
1942 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

'Loose Talk Can Cost Lives', World War II poster warning against careless talk, depicting two men dressed in overalls, talking at a bar. One wears a cap and glasses, and is gesturing with his hands, while the other wears an identification badge with his photo and work number. Each has a pint of beer, and are pictured as though we are looking over the bar at them. Behind them, as if made of smoke, looms the smiling face of Hitler.

The area where the bar would be is printed black, and at the top of this area, immediately below the image, printed in white, is the message, 'Don't be a dope and spread inside dope'. Below this, printed in black on a yellow 'banner' is the slogan, 'Loose Talk Can Cost Lives'.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleDon't be a dope and spread inside dope - Loose talk can cost lives (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Colour lithograph
Brief description
'Loose Talk Can Cost Lives', World War II poster warning against careless talk,depicting two men talking in a bar, overheard by Hitler, by C.C. Beall, issued by British and American Ambulance Corps., 1942
Physical description
'Loose Talk Can Cost Lives', World War II poster warning against careless talk, depicting two men dressed in overalls, talking at a bar. One wears a cap and glasses, and is gesturing with his hands, while the other wears an identification badge with his photo and work number. Each has a pint of beer, and are pictured as though we are looking over the bar at them. Behind them, as if made of smoke, looms the smiling face of Hitler.

The area where the bar would be is printed black, and at the top of this area, immediately below the image, printed in white, is the message, 'Don't be a dope and spread inside dope'. Below this, printed in black on a yellow 'banner' is the slogan, 'Loose Talk Can Cost Lives'.
Dimensions
  • Height: 50.8cm
  • Width: 35.5cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'DON'T BE A DOPE AND SPREAD INSIDE DOPE' (Immediately below the main image, printed white on black)
  • 'LOOSE TALK / CAN COST LIVES' (Below the image, printed in black against a yellow tape or banner)
  • 'c. c. .beall' (Artist's signature, top left corner, below a doodle resembling a ladder)
  • '© 1942' (Date, in lower left corner)
  • 'DISTRIBUTED IN THE INTEREST OF NATIONAL DEFENCE, AND AS A MEANS OF OBTAINING FUNDS FOR AMBULANCES WHEREVER NEEDED, BRITISH AND AMERICAN AMBULANCE CORPS, INC., 420 LEXINGTON AVENUE, NEW YORK CITY' (distribution details, running along the lower edge of the poster, in white border, printed in black)
  • 'ART' (Symbol made of an eagle's head, forming the letter 'a', with the letters 'ART' below, within a squared oval, lower right corner)
  • 'LITHO IN U.S.A.' (Along edge in lower left corner, printed in black)
Credit line
Gift of the American Friends of the V&A; Gift to the American Friends by Leslie, Judith and Gabri Schreyer and Alice Schreyer Batko
Subjects depicted
Associated objects
Other number
LS.460 - Leslie Schreyer Loan Number
Collection
Accession number
E.589-2004

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdMarch 28, 2006
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest