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Keep mum, she's not so dumb!

Poster
1941-1942 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Poster artists found various devices for depicting enemy spies. This poster makes use of the popular stereotype of the glamorous spy. It strikes a palatable, light-hearted tone while the rhyming text is catchy and colloquial. As an enemy, the spy contrasts with the prevailing images of women in wartime Britain, which tended to encourage wholesome effort and economy. Her frivolity of dress, posture and gaze all imply her moral laxity.

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleKeep mum, she's not so dumb! (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Colour lithograph
Brief description
Poster depicting a glamorous female spy, produced by the Ministry of Information, UK, ca. 1941
Physical description
Glamorous woman, seated with three servicemen.
Dimensions
  • Height: 76.3cm
  • Width: 51.5cm
Marks and inscriptions
Keep mum, she's not so dumb! (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
Place depicted
Summary
Poster artists found various devices for depicting enemy spies. This poster makes use of the popular stereotype of the glamorous spy. It strikes a palatable, light-hearted tone while the rhyming text is catchy and colloquial. As an enemy, the spy contrasts with the prevailing images of women in wartime Britain, which tended to encourage wholesome effort and economy. Her frivolity of dress, posture and gaze all imply her moral laxity.
Bibliographic reference
Images of War: British Posters 1939-45. John D. Cantwell. HMSO/ Public Record Office. 1989.
Other number
LS.1939 - Leslie Schreyer Loan Number
Collection
Accession number
E.997-2004

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Record createdJuly 5, 2004
Record URL
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