Original 1983 Soviet Theatre Poster – “Klown’s Smile” – Leningrad Puppet-Marionette Theatre – Multilingual Edition

An exceptionally rare piece of late-Soviet theatrical graphic design — an original 1983 playbill produced for the Leningrad Puppet-Marionette Theatre’s production of Klown’s Smile (Улыбка клоуна), based on the work of beloved children’s playwright Efim Chepovetsky (Ефим Чеповецкий, 1919–2014) and directed by Chief Producer Vladimir Lopuhin.

What makes this playbill particularly remarkable is its multilingual design: the title and theatre credits appear in Russian, English, Spanish, German, Polish, and French — a clear reflection of the Leningrad puppet troupe’s prestigious international touring schedule during the 1980s. This was a company performing for global audiences, and the poster was made to travel with it.

The design is atmospheric and quietly virtuosic. A central marionette clown — rendered in cool grey tones with vivid pops of blue shoes and a red nose — is shown with his strings and controls fully visible, embracing the “theatre within a theatre” concept at the heart of the production. His distinctive book-leaf hairstyle nods to the storytelling nature of Chepovetsky’s work. A collector’s detail: the artist’s mark — a stylised “Cč” / “CH” followed by ’83 — is hidden on the sole of the clown’s left shoe. The artist remains unattributed by name, adding a layer of mystery to an already singular object.

With a print run of only 2,500 copies, this is a genuinely scarce document — equally at home in a puppetry collection, a theatre archive, or a mid-century illustration enthusiast’s interior. Archival framing behind UV-protective glass is recommended to preserve the poster long-term.

Authenticity

100% Guaranteed Original Vintage Poster — not a modern reprint or reproduction.

Year: 1983
Theatre: Leningrad Puppet-Marionette Theatre, Leningrad (St. Petersburg), USSR
Playwright: Efim Chepovetsky (Ефим Чеповецкий)
Director: Vladimir Lopuhin
Artist: Unknown (signed “Cč” / “CH” + ’83 on clown’s left shoe)
Languages: Russian, English, Spanish, German, Polish, French
Print Run: 2,500 copies
Origin: USSR (Soviet Union)
Size: 59 × 87 cm (23.2 × 34.3 in)
Medium: Offset lithograph on paper

Condition

Overall: Very Good (Vintage Grade)

Wear: Light handling wear and minor corner bumping consistent with age and original theatrical use.

Details: Paper has aged with a beautiful, even patina and maintains excellent structural integrity. Central image crisp and undamaged.

This is an authentic vintage item. Please review the high-resolution photographs for a full and accurate representation. What you see is what you receive.

Shipping & Packaging

We handle historic paper with the utmost care to ensure it arrives immaculate.

Handling: Dispatched within 1–3 business days from our Sarajevo studio
Packaging: Rolled in acid-free tissue paper and shipped in a heavy-duty reinforced mailing tube — no folding, no creasing, no edge damage
Tracking: Fully tracked from our studio to your door
Standard delivery: Registered post (BH Pošta), arriving in 1–4 weeks
Express delivery: DHL Express available at checkout — delivery in 2–5 business days

International buyers are responsible for any applicable customs fees or import taxes.

Framing

Professional custom framing is available for this piece upon request. Contact us before checkout to discuss options and tailored pricing.

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