Starve Him With Silence

This original World War II poster, titled "Starve Him With Silence", is a vivid example of wartime propaganda aimed at promoting operational security among civilians and service members. Created around 1943, the poster was sponsored by the Seagram Distillers Corporation as part of a larger campaign to discourage loose talk that could lead to the unintentional leaking of sensitive information. The striking image features a grotesque rat emblazoned with a swastika, hungrily tearing into a sack marked "War Secrets." The message is clear and chilling: careless words can feed the enemy. The phrase "Starve Him With Silence" serves as a call to action, reminding Americans that silence is patriotic—and essential for victory. The poster is signed "Essargee," a pseudonym for Seymour R. Goff (1899–1977), a commercial illustrator and graphic designer whose work gained recognition during the 1930s and 1940s. Goff contributed numerous illustrations to advertising campaigns, educational materials,