Original Soviet Theatrical Poster – ‘A Tale of One Night’ – Alexander Black – 1962 – Leningrad State Puppet Theater

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This rare, 60+ year-old original 1962 theatrical poster advertises the production of “Сказка одной ночи” (“A Tale of One Night”) by playwright Inna Bulyshkina — a highly respected Soviet playwright, folklorist, and screenwriter known for her enchanting children’s scripts — at the renowned Leningrad State Puppet Theater. Directed by the legendary puppet master and pioneer Evgeny Demmeni, the mid-century production combined whimsical fairytale elements with contemporary Soviet themes. Debuting in 1962, just a year after Yuri Gagarin’s historic spaceflight, the show famously concluded with its puppet characters launching into the stars on a cosmic rocket ship — capturing the vibrant space-age optimism of the Khrushchev Thaw era.

The poster’s striking artwork was crafted by Alexander Black (А. Блэк, 1907–1979; read more), a highly influential Leningrad artist, graphic designer, and scenographer. A. Black studied at the Leningrad Higher Art and Technical Institute, masked key monuments and industrial sites during WWII, and created a hauntingly honest visual chronicle of the Siege of Leningrad. Beyond his somber wartime graphics, his post-war work at Lenfilm and his magical set designs for children’s puppetry hold a cherished place in Soviet design history. Ephemeral lithographs like this were printed in limited quantities for street advertising and rarely survived the decades — making this piece an exceptional find for collectors of mid-century theatrical ephemera.

Aesthetic Breakdown

Featuring a delightfully playful composition, this poster centers on a charming Puss in Boots flanked by marionettes, a bright yellow moon, and a giant hand manipulating Pinocchio. The visual style seamlessly blends traditional mid-century illustration with bold, asymmetric Soviet typography that dynamically wraps around the imagery. Its palette of muted teal, crimson, and golden yellow brings an authentic vintage warmth. Ideal for eclectically styled living spaces, children’s nurseries, creative studios, or mid-century modern interiors seeking an eye-catching historical narrative.

Authenticity

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

Artist: Alexander Black (А. Блэк)
Publishing House No.: 10, after N. Grigoreva
Year: 1962 (inferred from production date; play staged 1962)
Theater: Leningrad State Puppet Theater named after E. S. Demmeni
Print Run: 5,000 copies
Printing Technique: Original Color Lithograph
Dimensions: 60 cm × 90 cm (23″ × 33″)

Condition

Overall: Excellent Vintage Condition (Grade A−)

Wear: Light, authentic signs of age — minor edge wear and gentle handling creases along the margins. No pinholes, no major tears, no significant discoloration.

Details: Colors remain wonderfully vibrant and deep. Paper clean and structurally sound. Genuinely uncommon condition for a 64-year-old Soviet lithograph. Ready for custom framing.

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.

Want this design as a modern print? View the framed reproduction here →
Or the unframed reproduction here →
Prefer an instant digital download? View the digital edition here →