White Russian Anti-Bolshevik civil war poster, colour lithograph, 'Mens boots got dearer under the Soviets', Russia, 1919

White Russian Anti-Bolshevik civil war poster, colour lithograph, attacking the Soviets for causing price rises. Series of four comic strip-style pictures titled 'Price increase on men's shoes in Sovdepia'.

The first image (upper left) shows the interior of a shoe shop with well-stocked shelves, three assistants and three male customers. The text below translates as '1915. 14 roubles a pair. The customer takes time to choose from a large selection of style and quality'.

The second image (upper right) shows the same interior, with almost empty shelves, only one assistant, one man trying on a pair of shoes, and three others waiting (one reads a newspaper). The accompanying text reads, '1917. 75 roubles a pair. Later during the Revolution, there is no choice'.

The third image (lower left), shows the exterior of the shop, with a queue of men outside, including a Bolshevik soldier holding a rifle. The accompanying text reads, '1918. 500 roubles - card carriers only. In the Bolshevik era, commissars and communists flaunt new shoes as ordinary people queue outside'.

The final image (lower right) shows the same exterior, but the door is now padlocked. a group of mainly barefoot men look on, and the related text translates as, '1919. No problem! In a free country you can work barefoot'.

Gift of the American Friends of the V&A; Gift to the American Friends by Leslie, Judith and Gabri Schreyer and Alice Schreyer Batko

Men's boots got dearer under the Soviets:

1915. 14 roubles a pair. The customer takes time to choose from a large selection of style and quality.

1917. 75 roubles a pair. Later during the Revolution, there is no choice.

1918. 500 roubles - card carriers only. In the Bolshevik era, commissars and communists flaunt new shoes as ordinary people queue outside.

1919. No problem! In a free country you can work barefoot.

This propaganda poster in the style of a Lubok or Russian popular print, attacks the Communists' economic management.

E.1804-2004