Only One Available. This U.S. WWII Office of War Information Poster is in great condition. The poster shows a hand from a German officer wearing a Swas ring putting a puzzle together that shows that the last piece of the puzzle was England. This poster was designed by Steven Dohanos. He was an well-known artist and illustrator responsible for several of the Don’t Talk set of propaganda posters in the second world war.

Concerns about national security rose during wartime, and World War II was no exception. This poster reminds citizens that disclosing any military information, such as troop movements or other details, may aid the enemy in sabotaging the war effort.

This poster is in great condition, the edges do not show signs of damages and only the folding marks are visible. The colors are well preserved and the overall condition is really good. The size measures 40” by 28”.

The propaganda poster bears the text:

BITS OF CARELESS TALK
ARE PIECED TOGETHER BY THE ENEMY
Convoy sails for England
tonight
U.S. Government Printing Office: 1943-O- 563414
Distributed by OWI for the issuing agencies

Guns, tanks, and bombs were the principal weapons of World War II, but there were other, more subtle forms of warfare as well. Words, posters, and films waged a constant battle for the hearts and minds of the American citizenry just as surely as military weapons engaged the enemy. Persuading the American public became a wartime industry, almost as important as the manufacturing of bullets and planes. The Government launched an aggressive propaganda campaign with clearly articulated goals and strategies to galvanize public support, and it recruited some of the nation's foremost intellectuals, artists, and filmmakers to wage the war on that front.

The Government tried to identify the most effective poster style. One government-commissioned study concluded that the best posters were those that made a direct, emotional appeal and presented realistic pictures in photographic detail. The study found that symbolic or humorous posters attracted less attention, made a less favorable impression, and did not inspire enthusiasm. Nevertheless, many symbolic and humorous posters were judged to be outstanding in national poster competitions during the war.