{"product_id":"soviet-theatre-poster-klowns-smile-leningrad-1983","title":"Original 1983 Soviet Theatre Poster – “Klown’s Smile” – Leningrad Puppet-Marionette Theatre – Multilingual Edition","description":"\u003cp\u003eAn exceptionally rare piece of late-Soviet theatrical graphic design — an original 1983 playbill produced for the Leningrad Puppet-Marionette Theatre’s production of \u003cem\u003eKlown’s Smile\u003c\/em\u003e (Улыбка клоуна), based on the work of beloved children’s playwright Efim Chepovetsky (Ефим Чеповецкий, 1919–2014) and directed by Chief Producer Vladimir Lopuhin.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhat 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAuthenticity\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e100% Guaranteed Original Vintage Poster — not a modern reprint or reproduction.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eYear: 1983\u003cbr\u003eTheatre: Leningrad Puppet-Marionette Theatre, Leningrad (St. Petersburg), USSR\u003cbr\u003ePlaywright: Efim Chepovetsky (Ефим Чеповецкий)\u003cbr\u003eDirector: Vladimir Lopuhin\u003cbr\u003eArtist: Unknown (signed “Cč” \/ “CH” + ’83 on clown’s left shoe)\u003cbr\u003eLanguages: Russian, English, Spanish, German, Polish, French\u003cbr\u003ePrint Run: 2,500 copies\u003cbr\u003eOrigin: USSR (Soviet Union)\u003cbr\u003eSize: 59 × 87 cm (23.2 × 34.3 in)\u003cbr\u003eMedium: Offset lithograph on paper\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCondition\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOverall: Very Good (Vintage Grade)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWear: Light handling wear and minor corner bumping consistent with age and original theatrical use.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDetails: Paper has aged with a beautiful, even patina and maintains excellent structural integrity. Central image crisp and undamaged.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis is an authentic vintage item. Please review the high-resolution photographs for a full and accurate representation. What you see is what you receive.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eShipping \u0026amp; Packaging\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eWe handle historic paper with the utmost care to ensure it arrives immaculate.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHandling: Dispatched within 1–3 business days from our Sarajevo studio\u003cbr\u003ePackaging: Rolled in acid-free tissue paper and shipped in a heavy-duty reinforced mailing tube — no folding, no creasing, no edge damage\u003cbr\u003eTracking: Fully tracked from our studio to your door\u003cbr\u003eStandard delivery: Registered post (BH Pošta), arriving in 1–4 weeks\u003cbr\u003eExpress delivery: DHL Express available at checkout — delivery in 2–5 business days\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eInternational buyers are responsible for any applicable customs fees or import taxes.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFraming\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProfessional custom framing is available for this piece upon request. Contact us before checkout to discuss options and tailored pricing.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eWant this design as a ready-to-hang print? \u003ca href=\"\/products\/framed-reproduction-klowns-smile-leningrad-1983\"\u003eView the framed reproduction here →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePrefer it unframed? \u003ca href=\"\/products\/unframed-reproduction-klowns-smile-leningrad-1983\"\u003eView the unframed reproduction here →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePrefer an instant digital download? \u003ca href=\"\/products\/digital-edition-klowns-smile-leningrad-1983\"\u003eView the digital edition here →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Red Archive Studio","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47766438707426,"sku":"18","price":128.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0806\/7828\/9634\/files\/IMG-8819.png?v=1777820860","url":"https:\/\/red-archive-studio.myshopify.com\/products\/soviet-theatre-poster-klowns-smile-leningrad-1983","provider":"Red Archive Studio","version":"1.0","type":"link"}