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Americans suffer when careless talk kills!

Poster
1943 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

'Americans suffer when careless talk kills', Second World War poster depicting an elderly couple. The man, who is dressed in overalls, stares out to the viewer as he embraces his wife. She is crying, dabbing at her tears with her apron, as she clutches a yellow telegram (indicating that their son has been killed in action). Behind them is a single blue star on a white background which is framed by red; it appears to be a wall hanging. Above them are the words, 'Americans Suffer when careless talk kills', in red letters.

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleAmericans suffer when careless talk kills! (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Colour lithograph
Brief description
'Americans suffer when careless talk kills!', Second World War poster depicting an elderly couple, by Harry Anderson for the Government Printing Office, United States, 1943
Physical description
'Americans suffer when careless talk kills', Second World War poster depicting an elderly couple. The man, who is dressed in overalls, stares out to the viewer as he embraces his wife. She is crying, dabbing at her tears with her apron, as she clutches a yellow telegram (indicating that their son has been killed in action). Behind them is a single blue star on a white background which is framed by red; it appears to be a wall hanging. Above them are the words, 'Americans Suffer when careless talk kills', in red letters.
Dimensions
  • Height: 50.9cm
  • Width: 35.5cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'AMERICANS SUFFER / when careless talk kills!' (Above the image, red letters)
  • 'Harry Anderson' (Artist's signature, below the image, lower edge of the poster, red ink)
  • Black outline of a star, 'U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1943-O-558552' (Identification details, lower left corner of the poster, black ink)
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
Other number
LS.2319 - Leslie Schreyer Loan Number
Collection
Accession number
E.836-2004

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Record createdMarch 30, 2006
Record URL
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