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"Skrusz te Szpony!"

Poster
1921 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This 1921 Polish propaganda poster was issued by a Warsaw consumer union shortly after the end of World War II (1919). A veiny, blood-stained claw descends on an unsuspecting man, who raises his arms to protect himself. The poster urges the reader to "break the clutches" of capitalist industry, where consumers are at the mercy of high prices set by industrialists. The solution it proposes is to work together against the dictates of industry. In the image, an axe bearing the word "cooperation" lies near the feet of the vulnerable man. The union's aim was to mobilise consumers, armed with the weapon of collaboration. This poster clearly shows the seeds of socialism being sown in Eastern Europe.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Title"Skrusz te Szpony!"
Materials and techniques
lithograph in red, black and white
Brief description
"Skrusz te Szpony!" Polish Propaganda poster against industrialist control.
Physical description
Giant hand clawing at a man, on red background.
Dimensions
  • Height: 94.2cm
  • Width: 62cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • "Skrusz te Szpony!"
    Translation
    Break their clutches!
  • Kooperacja (written on handle of axe)
    Translation
    Co-operation
  • Bron jest obok ciebie!
    Translation
    Defence is closer than you think! [You can protect yourself!]
  • The Library of the University of Illinois (purple stamp, lower right corner)
Credit line
Gift of the American Friends of the V&A; Gift to the American Friends by Leslie, Judith and Gabri Schreyer and Alice Schreyer Batko
Production
printed in Warsaw
Subjects depicted
Places depicted
Summary
This 1921 Polish propaganda poster was issued by a Warsaw consumer union shortly after the end of World War II (1919). A veiny, blood-stained claw descends on an unsuspecting man, who raises his arms to protect himself. The poster urges the reader to "break the clutches" of capitalist industry, where consumers are at the mercy of high prices set by industrialists. The solution it proposes is to work together against the dictates of industry. In the image, an axe bearing the word "cooperation" lies near the feet of the vulnerable man. The union's aim was to mobilise consumers, armed with the weapon of collaboration. This poster clearly shows the seeds of socialism being sown in Eastern Europe.
Other number
LS.1757 - Leslie Schreyer Loan Number
Collection
Accession number
E.1803-2004

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Record createdAugust 2, 2005
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