Illiteracy is bad business for everyone , Spain

This original Spanish poster uses a dramatic scene to emphasize the importance of literacy. A man stands at a gas station lighting a cigarette, unaware of the large warning sign beside him that reads, “Danger: No Smoking.” As he lights the cigarette, an explosion erupts behind him, illustrating the potentially disastrous consequences of being unable to read safety instructions. The slogan at the top, “Illiteracy is bad business for everyone,” suggests that illiteracy is not merely a personal disadvantage but a problem that affects society as a whole. By showing how one person’s inability to read can lead to danger, injury, and economic loss, the poster argues that literacy is essential for public safety and collective well-being. Created for International Literacy Day and Spain’s national adult literacy campaign, the image encourages education by presenting reading as a practical skill that protects both individuals and communities.
Publisher: Gráficas Benzal
Made in Madrid, Spain.
Size: 65x50 cm
Material: paper
Printed in 1969
Condition: as seen on the picture
This is not a recent issue, replica or tourist souvenir.