1942 This Is Nazi Brutality OWI Poster No. 11 Ben Shahn Lidice Massacre WWII

Date: 1942
Artist: Shahn, Ben
Size (in): 38” x 28.25”
Size (cm): 96.5 x 71.8
Condition: A/A-
Linen backed: No

This vintage original WWII poster was created by the artist Ben Shahn and issued by the Office of War Information as OWI Poster No. 11 in 1942. Shahn’s use of imagery from the Lidice Massacre, in which some 340 Czech civilians were methodically slaughtered in retribution for the assassination of high ranking officer and Holocaust architect Reinhard Heydrich, helped to instill a deep fear of Nazis and Nazism in Americans. The poster grimly depicts a man, hooded and up against a brick wall with hands shackled, above text quoting Radio Berlin’s official report on the events at Lidice.

This vintage original poster is in excellent condition with no tape or pinholes and doesn’t appear to have ever been hung up or used. The poster is folded as issued and shows only slight handling wear including about an inch of separation on the center lateral fold line at the left edge and modest toning from age. Overall condition is excellent.