Original 1986 Soviet Space Poster – Starry World – L. Belskiy & V. Potapov – 27 × 45 cm / 10.6 × 17.7 in

An original 1986 Soviet space poster by L. Belskiy and V. Potapov, Starry World – Peace to the Peoples of the World! presents the cosmos as a promise of international cooperation and a contested political frontier. Its headline, «ЗВЕЗДНЫЙ МИР — НАРОДАМ МИРА!», translates literally as “A Starry World to the Peoples of the World!” The Russian word «мир» means both “world” and “peace”, allowing the slogan to turn the language of “Star Wars” into an appeal for a peaceful cosmos.

The design combines space illustration with documentary-style photomontage, moving from the possibility of orbital exploration to the politics of protest. Its accompanying text makes the argument explicit: space should remain free of weapons. In opposition to the American Strategic Defense Initiative, widely known as “Star Wars”, it advocates peaceful international cooperation and the creation of a worldwide space organisation. These are the poster’s political claims, expressed through the visual language of late-Cold War Soviet propaganda, rather than a neutral account of either side’s space programme.

The explanatory text at the bottom of the poster reads, in translation:

“For many years, the USSR has been waging an energetic struggle to prevent the militarisation of space. The position of the Land of Soviets is clear: space must be free of all weapons. As an alternative to the ominous ‘Star Wars’ programme, the USSR puts forward to the international community a programme for building a ‘starry world’, advocating peaceful cooperation in space under conditions of non-militarisation and the creation of a worldwide space organisation.”

Belskiy and Potapov worked together within the Soviet political-poster tradition, combining graphic illustration, typography and photographic material to communicate public messages. Here, that collaborative approach brings technological optimism and anti-militarisation campaigning into a single compact sheet. Measuring 27 × 45 cm, it preserves both the expansive ambitions of Soviet space imagery and the detailed printed argument behind the slogan.

Authenticity

Original vintage Soviet poster from 1986, not a modern reprint.

Artists: L. Belskiy & V. Potapov (Л. Бельский, В. Потапов)
Slogan: «ЗВЕЗДНЫЙ МИР — НАРОДАМ МИРА!»
Literal translation: “A Starry World to the Peoples of the World!”
Year: 1986
Approved for print: 5 September 1986
Publisher: Plakat Publishing House, Moscow (Издательство «Плакат»)
Origin: USSR
Size: 27 × 45 cm / 10.6 × 17.7 in (width × height)
Medium: Offset lithograph on paper
Print run: 321,998 copies
Publication number: 0409960
Printing code: А-03619
Printed production format: 60 × 90 1/4, distinct from the sheet dimensions above

Condition

Very good original vintage condition. The inks retain strong colour and clear typography. An original horizontal centre fold is present, with light handling creases near the margins, consistent with distribution and storage.

The white borders and corners remain clean. The reverse is clean white paper, with no tape marks, tears or major staining noted in the condition report. Please review the photographs for the individual characteristics of this vintage sheet. What you see is what you receive.

Shipping & Packaging

Dispatched within 1–3 business days from our studio. The poster is rolled in acid-free tissue paper and packed in a heavy-duty reinforced mailing tube, with tracking provided.

Standard delivery: BH Pošta registered post, estimated at 1–4 weeks.
Express delivery: DHL Express, estimated at 2–5 business days.

Framing

Professional custom framing available upon request. Contact us before checkout.