Praise of Communism poster
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
ca. 1980
This object is a landscape-oriented political poster designed around 1980 by The Poster Collective (also referred to as the Poster Film Collective) in London. It is executed as a black and white print using a photographic stencil technique on paper and subsequently laminated with plastic. The sheet measures 45 cm in height by 63.9 cm in width.
The layout is composed against a black background bordered by white margins. The left side features a black and white halftone photographic stencil portrait of the German poet and playwright Bertolt Brecht holding a cigar. The right side features a reproduction of Brecht's poem 'Praise of Communism', presenting English verses that begin with 'It's sensible / anyone can understand it' and conclude with 'It is the simplest thing / So hard to achieve', followed by his name.
The poster also bears small publishing and printing inscriptions along the lower area, crediting the 'POSTER FILM COLLECTIVE. BCM PFC LONDON WC1N3XX' and noting that it was 'Printed by Spider Web, 14-16 Sussex Way, N7 (901-272 9141).'
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- Black and white print with photographic stencil on paper that has been laminated
- Dimensions
- Height: 45 cm; Width: 63.9 cm
Technical characteristics
- Inscriptions
- Date: Text: Research required; Latest: Research required; Earliest: Research required; Note: Research required; Type: Research required; Medium: Research required; Method: Research required; Script: Research required; Content: Bertolt Brecht's poem 'Praise of Communism' is inscribe on the right. 'It's sensible / anyone can understand it...It is the simplest thing / So hard to achieve' 'POSTER FILM COLLECTIVE. BCM PFC LONDON WC1N3XX' 'Printed by Spider Web, 14-16 Sussex Way, N7 (901-272 9141).'; Language: Research required; Position: Research required; Inscriber: Name: Id: Research required; Text: Research required; Association: Id: Research required; Text: Research required; Description: Research required; Translation: Research required; Interpretation: Research required; Transliteration: Research required
- Maker recorded
- The Poster Collective
- Place recorded
- London
Identification
- Source note
- Transcribed from the Victoria and Albert Museum collection record for this single object; how far it represents a wider collectible type has not been independently verified.
- Museum object name
- Poster
- Museum object number
- E.499-2013
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.