SOVIET POSTERS November 20, 2011 Internet, Phone and Mail Bid Auction Lot 34 Lot Mercer and Middlesex Auctions, Llc Phone: +1.609.632.1692 • Fax: +1.609.235.9667 • [email protected] • www.memiauctions.com A Few Words About This Sale This fall, a visitor to Chicago has an opportunity to visit not one, but several interesting exhibitions of Soviet posters, running under the umbrella of the year-long, citywide The Soviet Experience cultural program. These are serious, professionally-curated exhibits, covering a wide range of periods and topics. In a very small way, the material presented in our November auction reflects the richness of the Soviet poster art tradition that is now on display in Chicago. The sale opens with a small selection of poster and caricature-related artworks that includes Lenin by Igor Ershov, from 1930, whose works were immediately noted by Moscow critics of the time. On to the Fair, by Lev Brodaty, from 1939, was prompted by the sensational Soviet non-stop flight from Moscow to North America. Stories related to Kokkinaki’s dramatic flight dominated American newspapers’ front pages for sev- eral days in a row. The viewer will also find in this section artwork for a pair of early Boyevoi Karandash post- ers from the Finnish War period (even the regular posters are rare), and ever-popular WWII and space-related works. The posters section is highlighted by Maliutin’s iconicTo the Polish Front, several important early posters by Moor, and by the wonderful Dayesh Motor! by Cheremnykh, a poster that reflects the Soviet fascination with the promise of aviation. Because of the direct quotation from Trotsky, this poster is rarely found intact. Among the posters from the 1920s and 1930s, one will find a great large-size poster by Young, satirical works by his brother Yu. Ganf and by Kukryniksy, the well-executed works of Elkin and Kochergin, and a curious panegyrical poster by Toidze. The Constructivist movement is also well-represented, with posters by such art- ists as Adolf Strakhov, Vladimir Schwartz, and Faik Tagirov. The depth of talent among the posterists of the period is illustrated by strong designs by lesser-known or anonymous artists (see, e.g., lot 38). Also, do not miss the tragic story behind the poster by Nikolai Mikhailov (Diomidi)—the artist was handed over to GPU by his Artists Union colleagues, after he “surreptitiously introduced elements of mysticism” into his painting depicting the funeral of the communist leader Kirov (lot 44). The sale also includes an interesting selection of WWII posters, highlighted by Serov’s iconic Our Cause is Just, Kokorekin’s The Victorious Warrior, and Ayva- zian’s Tass Windows poster from the ever popular Our ABC series. We urge the viewer not to miss the post-1945 selection, and not just because it includes some great late works by V. Koretsky. There are some other “sleepers” in this section, including the curious 1946 Soviet-style “right-to-life” poster Do Not Deny Yourself the Joys of Motherhod by Chernov (lot 84). Space and time constraints prevent me from pointing out other interesting works that are spread over the entire sale. “A picture is worth a thousand words”, so please take a look at the catalog. The sale will again be conducted in the internet, mail, and phone auction format. For internet bidding, we are using LiveAuctioneers platform. To participate in live bidding by phone, please put the numbers of the lots you are interested in on the bidding form, include your phone and fax or email it to us. Yakov Lurye, auctioneer, Mercer and Middlesex Auctions Contents of the Sale 1. Artwork For Posters and Caricatures (lots 1–6)....................... 1 2. Russian Federation Period, 1917–1922 (lots 7–28) ..................... 4 3. Soviet Union Before WWII, 1923–1940 (lots 29–56) ................. 15 4. World War II, 1941–1945 (lots 57–83)............................. 29 5. Post-WWII, 1945–1973 (lots 84–102) ............................. 42 Terms and Conditions By bidding at our auction, whether in person, by phone, absentee bid, or unequivocally that the auctioned item is a forgery. on the internet, you agree to be bound by the following terms and condi- 9. A prospective buyer must complete and sign a registration form before tions. As used in the following terms and conditions, MMA, We, and Us bidding. MMA reserves the right to require bank or other financial refers to Mercer and Middlesex Auctions, LLC. references for participation in the auction or bidding on a specific lot. 1. 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