A Powerful Warning from 1930s Poland

This striking piece of public health propaganda originated in Warsaw in 1930, serving as a grave warning against the fatal consumption of denatured alcohol (denat). Designed by H. Czerny and produced by W. Główczewski, the poster masterfully merges a stylized Art Deco aesthetic with a chilling subject matter. It stands as a powerful artifact of interwar Polish graphic design.

The central image features a menacing, abstracted depiction of the Grim Reaper, cloaked dramatically in black and white stripes. The figure is shown pouring a toxic, pink-hued liquid—labeled ‘SPIRYTUS SKAŻONY’ (Contaminated Spirit)—from a large bottle into an elegant wine glass. The bold, angular Polish typography delivers the message: ‘SPIRYTUS SKAŻONY TRUCIZNA’ (Contaminated Spirit is Poison) and the ultimate warning: ‘PICIE DENATURATU POWODUJE ŚMIERĆ’ (Drinking Denatured Alcohol Causes Death).

This poster’s compelling use of high-contrast colors—vibrant orange, deep blue, and stark black/white—makes it a dramatic focal point. It is an essential acquisition for collectors of vintage medical posters, historical public safety campaigns, or classic European Art Deco prints, offering both cultural depth and graphic intensity.