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

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 a sinking ship. The ship is half submerged in a calm sea, and dotted around it are sailors swimming towards three lifeboats, already containing many men.

Below the image, against the background of the sea, printed in black on a white 'banner' is the slogan, 'Loose Talk Can Cost Lives'.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleLoose 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 a sinking ship, by Stevan Dohanos, issued by British and American Ambulance Corps., 1942
Physical description
'Loose Talk Can Cost Lives', World War II poster warning against careless talk, depicting a sinking ship. The ship is half submerged in a calm sea, and dotted around it are sailors swimming towards three lifeboats, already containing many men.

Below the image, against the background of the sea, printed in black on a white 'banner' is the slogan, 'Loose Talk Can Cost Lives'.
Dimensions
  • Height: 50.8cm
  • Width: 35.5cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'LOOSE TALK / CAN COST LIVES' (Below the image, printed in red against a black tape or banner)
  • 'Stevan Dohanos' (Along the lower right edge of the image, incorporated into the sea, printed in blue)
  • '© 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)
  • '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.475 - Leslie Schreyer Loan Number
Collection
Accession number
E.591-2004

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