Poster, Don’t risk it feller

Poster, Don’t risk it feller early 1940s

Maker unknown

Registration number

1646752

Artist/maker

Maker unknown

Title

Poster, Don’t risk it feller

Production date

early 1940s

Medium

lithographic print on paper

Dimensions (H x W x D)

74 x 61 cm

Inscriptions

FOR DISTRIBUTION IN BROTHELS ONLY / Sure, they're inspected, BUT THEY'RE NOT GUARANTEED! / DON'T RISK IT FELLER, / USE A SHEATH

Credit line

Purchased, 2007
City of Melbourne Art and Heritage Collection

Keywords

Public health, Brothels, WW2, World War II, Venereal disese, Poster, 1940s

Summary

During World War II, Melbourne was a hub for Australian and American servicemen. In June 1942, the number of Americans peaked at 30,000. This public health education poster – "FOR EXHIBITION IN BROTHELS ONLY" – aimed to reduce the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases. It is customary for the names of the printer and the designer of a poster to be recorded along its bottom edge. Their absence suggests they did not want to be identified with the poster.