Sane Nuclear Policy

SANE (committee for a Sane Nuclear Policy) poster.

SANE was founded in 1957 as a response to nuclear bomb testing and the arms race. Its mission was to "develop public support for a boldly conceived and executed policy which will lead mankind away from war and toward justice and peace," seeking to keep nuclear power within safe and human bounds, By 1958 it had over 25,000 members.

In 1959 Steve Allen was active in the formation of the Hollywood group. Other graphic artists and designers involved in the national organization included Ben Shahn, Edward Sorel and Jules Feiffer. This poster featuring the symbol for the Hollywood branch of the National Committee for a Sane Nuclear Policy (SANE),  indicated that the future lies in the hands of each and every one of us.

This exceedingly rare poster represents a rather early example of Saul Bass offering his design services to the various causes with which he was involved. His contributions ranged from invitations for the Southern California Peace Crusade and Plaintiffs Against the Blacklist, to stationery for the Great Issues Foundation  and Transport-a-Child, and posters for Human Rights Week. In 1957 he designed a poster for a public meeting about nuclear policy at which the main speakers were Nobel Peace Prize winner, Dr. Linus Pauling, and California Congressman Chet Holifield, who sat on the government's Joint Committee for Atomic Energy. 

The poster is printed on card on thick card stock.