Careless Talk Collection

Keep Mum - The World Has Ears. American World War II poster for the Thirteenth Naval District of the U. S
WORLD WAR II POSTER, c1942. Keep Mum - The World Has Ears. American World War II poster for the Thirteenth Naval District of the U.S. Navy, c1942, warning against the dangers of careless talk

Silence Means Security. American World War II poster featuring a WaC (member of the Womens Auxiliary Army Corps)
WWII: CARELESS TALK POSTER. Silence Means Security. American World War II poster featuring a WaC (member of the Womens Auxiliary Army Corps) warning of the danger of careless talk

WWII: POSTER, c1943. Free speech doesn t mean careless talk! Lithograph, c1943

Quiet! Loose Talk Can Cost Lives. American World War II poster, 1942, warning of the dangers of careless talk
WWII: CARELESS TALK POSTER. Quiet! Loose Talk Can Cost Lives. American World War II poster, 1942, warning of the dangers of careless talk

I m Counting On You! American World War II poster featuring Uncle Sam warning of the dangers of careless talk
WWII: CARELESS TALK POSTER. I m Counting On You! American World War II poster featuring Uncle Sam warning of the dangers of careless talk

WWII: POSTER, c1942. Keep mum - shes not so dumb! Careless talk costs lives. Lithograph, c1942

WWII: POSTER, c1940. Careless Talk Costs Lives. British poster by Fougasse, c1940

Because Somebody Talked! American World War II poster, 1943, warning against the dangers of careless talk
WWII: PROPAGANDA POSTER. Because Somebody Talked! American World War II poster, 1943, warning against the dangers of careless talk

WWII: POSTER, c1942. I Pledge Allegiance and Silence About the War. Silkscreen poster by Thomas A. Byrne, c1942

WWII: POSTER, c1943. What I know - I keep to myself. Careless talk costs lives. Lithograph, c1943

WWII: POSTER, c1943. Some birds talk too much! Silence means security! Lithograph, c1943

WWII: POSTER, c1942. Keep it dark - Careless talk costs lives. Lithograph, c1942

WWII: POSTER, c1942. Keep it under your hat! Careless talk costs lives. Lithograph, c1942

WWII: POSTER, c1943. Think before you speak - Careless talk costs lives! Lithograph, c1943

WWII: POSTER, 1942. Button your lip! Loose talk can cost lives. Poster by Otto Soglow, 1942

Your Talk May Kill Your Comrades. British World War II poster, 1942, by Abram Games
WORLD WAR II: POSTER, 1942. Your Talk May Kill Your Comrades. British World War II poster, 1942, by Abram Games

American poster warning that careless communication may be harmful to the war effort. Silkscreen, 1943
WWII: CARELESS TALK POSTER. American poster warning that careless communication may be harmful to the war effort. Silkscreen, 1943

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Tittle Tattle Lost the Battle: A Lesson from British World War II Posters During the tumultuous years of World War II, governments on both sides of the Atlantic recognized the grave danger posed by careless talk. In an effort to protect national security and prevent vital information from falling into enemy hands, a series of powerful posters were created to remind citizens about the importance of silence. One such poster, designed by Edward T. Grigware for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Art Project in America, boldly declared "Keep Mum - The World Has Ears. " This striking silkscreen warned individuals within the Thirteenth Naval District that loose lips could sink ships and jeopardize countless lives. Across the ocean in Britain, Fougasse's iconic 1940 poster proclaimed "Careless Talk Costs Lives, " featuring a stern figure urging citizens to think twice before divulging sensitive information. The message was clear – sharing secrets with friends or strangers alike could have devastating consequences for their loved ones fighting on distant battlefields. The Women's Auxiliary Army Corps (WaC) also played a crucial role in spreading awareness about careless talk. Their recruitment poster featured a WaC member pointing directly at viewers with determination as she declared "Silence Means Security. " It served as a reminder that even seemingly innocent conversations had potential repercussions during wartime. Uncle Sam himself joined this chorus of cautionary voices through his own American World War II poster titled "I'm Counting On You. " With his piercing gaze and pointed finger, he implored every citizen to guard their words carefully because careless talk endangered not only soldiers but also their fellow countrymen. As time went on and war continued unabated, new posters emerged with equally powerful messages. One urged allegiance and silence regarding war matters while another reminded people that what they knew should be kept strictly to themselves – after all, knowledge shared carelessly could cost lives. In this climate where trust was paramount, the phrase "Quiet.