MenuInventory of the Russian Posters Collection, 1919-1989 and undated
Abstract
The Russian Posters Collection is divided into three series spanning the years 1919 to 1989: 30 posters emphasizing the benefits of communism and the first "Five Year Plan" for workers, the achievements of the USSR under communism, religion as an enemy of the people, and the struggle against and decline of capitalism; 14 placards from the 22nd Congress of the Communist Party of the USSR describing and depicting the strength of the country in industrial development, consumer goods, agricultural production, electrification, and the national welfare; and the collapse of the colonial system of imperialism and the problems facing capitalism; and last, ten posters from the "perestroika" period of the 1980s, most of which were exhibited in Moscow in 1988. In addition, the collection houses nine facsimiles of Russian posters from the 1920s-1930s. The posters have been digitized and are available online. Translations provided by Dr. Ernest Zitser, Duke University.
Descriptive Summary
- Repository
- David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University
- Creator
- Duke University. Rare Books, Manuscripts, and Special Collections Library.
- Title
- Russian Posters Collection, 1919-1989 and undated
- Language of Material
- Russian
- Extent
- 4.0 Linear Feet, 81 Items
- Location
- For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Collection Overview
The Russian Posters Collection spans a good part of 20th century Russian political history, and is divided into three main groupings: 30 posters emphasizing the benefits of communism and the first "Five Year Plan" for workers, the achievements of the former USSR under communism, religion as an enemy of the people, and the struggle against and decline of capitalism; 14 placards from the 22nd Congress of the Communist Party of the former USSR describing and depicting the strength of the country in industrial development, consumer goods, agricultural production, electrification, and the national welfare, and the collapse of the colonial system of imperialism and the problems facing capitalism; and last, 26 posters from the "perestroika" period of the 1980s, most of which were exhibited in Moscow in 1988. In addition, the collection houses nine facsimiles of Russian posters from the 1920s-1930s. Some posters feature anti-religious slogans. The posters have also been digitized and are available online.
Administrative Information
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Access Restrictions
Collection is open for research.
Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library to use this collection.
Use Restrictions
The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.
Contents of the Collection
Browse List of Series
Collapse All
Expand AllThese political posters from the former Soviet Union cover the period between the end of the "New Economic Policy" and the beginning of the first "Five Year Plan" and cover a range of related issues related to religion, economic and social changes, and political events. Their titles have been translated into English. When dates are present they have been added.
Travel poster, not digitized (2011 acquisition).
Electioneering placards related to the 22nd Congress of the Communist Party of the former Soviet Union. The titles have been translated into English.
Facsimile Posters Series, 1920s-1930s
Facismiles of former Soviet Union posters from the 1920s and 1930s. Dates are approximate.
An assemblage of posters, arranged in two subgroupings, from the decade prior to the break-up of the Soviet Union, about 1980 to 1989. All except one of these posters formed an exhibit held in Moscow in 1988; ten reproductions are in their own exhibit folder. One poster from an anti-alcoholism campaign unrelated to the exhibit but from the same period closes the series. The transcribed title is followed by the English translation. Authors and artists's names are also given; in some cases there is more than one name. Some posters are composites of more than one poster; and one poster consists of three sheets. Posters are in original order as received.
Exhibit Posters Subseries
Consists of a cover folder that describes the 1988 Moscow poster exhibit and which contains reproductions of ten posters, one of which is a triptych. The cover folder for the posters reads, "Soiuz khudozhnikov SSSR.; Soiuz khudozhnikov RSFSR.; Moskovskaia organizatsiia Soiuza khudozhnikov RSFSR. Plakat-perestroike: komplekt-vystavka (Moskva: "Plakat," 1988)."
Prize-winning Exhibit Posters Subseries
Consists of prize winners from the same 1988 exhibit. Two of the posters have two additional images, besides the one represented by the title. There are actually 16 images, as several posters are composites of more than one poster. Arranged in order from first prize to runners-up.
Other Posters
Perestroika-era poster, unrelated to the 1988 Moscow exhibit, deals with the Soviet government's anti-alcohol campaign.
Subject Headings
- Kommunisticheskai͡a partii͡a Sovetskogo Soi͡uza--History.
- Posters, Russian.
- Posters, Russian--20th century--Exhibitions.
- Political posters, Russian.
- Posters, Soviet Union--20th century.
- Communism--Soviet Union--Posters.
- Communism--Soviet Union--Congresses.
- Propaganda, Communist--Soviet Union--Posters.
- Soviet Union--Economic policy--1928-1932--Posters.
- Soviet Union--Economic policy--1959-1965--Posters.
- Soviet Union--History--1917-1936--Posters.
- Soviet Union--History--1925-1953--Posters.
- Soviet Union--History--1953-1985--Posters.
- Soviet Union--History--20th century--Posters.
- Soviet Union--Politics and government--1917-1936--Posters.
- Soviet Union--Politics and government--1925-1953--Posters.
- Soviet Union--Politics and government--1953-1985--Posters.
- Soviet Union--Social conditions--20th century--Posters.
- Soviet Union--Religion--20th century--Posters.
- Posters.
- Facsimiles (reproductions).
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Russian Posters Collection, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library
Provenance
The Russian Posters Collection were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library as a gift in the early 1960s, 1970s, and 2010.
Processing Information
Processed by Rubenstein Library staff.
Encoded by Paula Jeannet Mangiafico, February 2009 and December 2010.
Translations of Cyrillic titles provided by Dr. Ernest Zitser, Duke University.
Accessions from 1960s, 1970s, and 2010 are described in this finding aid.
Updated to include Accession 2011-0069 by Alice Poffinberger, Aug. 2011
Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS, EAD, NCEAD guidelines, and local Style Guide.
This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.