Created in 1942 by acclaimed maritime artist Anton Otto Fischer, this dramatic World War II propaganda poster issues a stark warning to the American public: Loose talk can cost lives. Titled “A Careless Word… A Needless Sinking”, the artwork captures a harrowing scene of naval disaster, turning patriotic caution into visceral storytelling.
Set against a fiery, chaotic backdrop, the poster shows a lifeboat of shaken survivors rowing away from a merchant ship engulfed in flames. The visual narrative speaks volumes. It suggests that one moment of indiscretion—perhaps a sailor mentioning sailing schedules or cargo—led to the enemy intercepting information, resulting in a deadly attack.
Commissioned by the U.S. Office of War Information, this poster was part of a broader campaign to instill discipline, vigilance, and secrecy among civilians and military personnel alike. It emphasized that in a global war fought on battlefields and in intelligence circles, every word mattered.
Fischer, renowned for his seafaring illustrations for The Saturday Evening Post, lent authenticity and emotional depth to the composition. His experience in maritime storytelling elevated the poster beyond a government warning—it became a vivid moral message designed to resonate with anyone who saw it.
This original piece is not just wartime ephemera; it's a timeless artifact of communication strategy, illustrating how art and fear were used together to protect national security.
War 39-45 - United States
Good condition, slight restorations
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