Vintage Poster Archives
Careless Word Another Cross 1943 | John Atherton WW2 Poster
Careless Word Another Cross 1943 | John Atherton WW2 Poster
Couldn't load pickup availability
A white wooden cross stands against a deep red background, draped with an ammunition belt and helmet. The composition carries the sobering message of wartime security through its stark visual metaphor.
Designed by John Atherton for the US Office of War Information in 1943, this was issued as OWI Poster No. 23. Atherton, best known for his Saturday Evening Post covers from 1942 to 1961, created this during the height of World War II's home-front campaign. The poster warned civilians that careless talk could aid enemy forces and cost American lives.
The elegant serif typography and muted palette reflect the gravity of its subject. Such messages formed part of a coordinated effort to maintain security awareness among the American public during wartime.
Reproduced as an archival print, preserving the original's solemn impact for contemporary display.
