Art tells the stories of humanity. Russian artist, Kandinsky, said that “each period of culture produces an art of its own which can never be repeated.” Through art, it becomes possible to chart the events that shaped and defined the Soviet Union - from the Bolshevik revolution, to the rise of Stalin, and finally the fall of the USSR. The bold colours of Soviet propaganda posters along with their increasing rarity, make them a sought-after collectors item. Here’s where you can find and buy vintage Soviet art.
Flea Markets
I’ve spent that last year travelling around many of the countries that make up the former USSR in search of original posters for my own collection, and to sell…of-course. On a crisp Saturday morning, on the outskirts of many former Soviet cities, you’ll sometimes strike gold. Keep an eye out for posters that are smaller than an A2, as they are copies of originals. Happy hunting!
International Poster Gallery
For almost a quarter of a decade, the fine folks at International Poster Gallery have been collecting and selling rare posters in Boston. Owner Jim Lapides was decorating his home and fell in love with vintage Italian posters. After over 20 years in corporate life, his passion for posters led to a second career when he opened the International Poster Gallery in 1994. He spent many years tracking down rare Italian posters, including striking gold with the famous Campari posters. Shop Soviet art at International Poster Gallery
Online Marketplaces
eBay, 1stDibs, and Etsy are online marketplaces where it’s possible to find rare posters. Once you’ve refined your search, you'll find a wide variety of posters which range from quite inexpensive to grossly overpriced. Keep an eye out for drop-shippers who sell reprints. Shop Soviet art at 1stDibs
Antikbar
Like Jim from International Poster Gallery, Kirill Kalinin worked in the corporate world - finance. His interest in original vintage posters started in 1993 when he saw an exhibition at the Guggenheim in New York - The Great Utopia: The Russian and Soviet Avant-Garde. The boldness and sheer visual impact of the exhibition made a lasting impression, and Kirill started collecting work. In 2010, he founded AntikBar, a gallery in Notting Hill, London. Shop their Soviet collection. Shop Soviet art at Antikbar
Comrade Kyiv
For me, it started with a single poster, a souvenir from a trip to Ukraine. Over the past few years, I've explored many of the countries that make up the former USSR — from far flung frozen villages in Kazakhstan, to boiling backstreet bazaars in Georgia. My collection kept growing and soon it grew into Comrade Kyiv.
I’m focused on building a company that stands true to the values I hold close. Comrade Kyiv is carbon neutral and donates 10% of all revenue to Human Rights Watch. We specialise in rare, original posters from the USSR - including film, propaganda, theatre, travel and advertising. We also offer free worldwide shipping - tracked and insured. Shop Soviet art at Comrade Kyiv
