{"product_id":"vintage-1960-soviet-chekhov-motley-tales-theatrical-poster-by-nikolai-akimov","title":"Original 1960 Soviet Theatrical Poster – Nikolai Akimov – “Motley Tales” after Chekhov – Leningrad Theatre of Comedy","description":"\u003cp\u003eA rare and distinguished piece of Soviet graphic art — an original 1960 theatrical poster designed by Nikolai Akimov (Николай Павлович Акимов, 1901–1968) for his own production of \u003cem\u003eMotley Tales\u003c\/em\u003e (Пёстрые рассказы) — a stage adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s celebrated comic stories — at the Leningrad State Comedy Theatre, where Akimov served as Artistic Director. The production was created to mark the global centenary of Chekhov’s birth, proudly announced in the faux-gold banner across the top edge: “1860 — 1960”. Designed in 1959 for the centenary season, the poster was printed and displayed during the 1960 run — the year Akimov was also awarded the title of People’s Artist of the USSR.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAkimov was one of the most singular figures in Soviet cultural life: simultaneously a theatre director of national renown and a graphic artist of exceptional refinement. He brought to his playbills the same qualities critics praised in his stage work: wit, invention, and a razor-sharp graphic line. The poster credits him in full at the bottom edge: \u003cem\u003e“Stage composition, production, and decorations by People’s Artist of the RSFSR, N. P. Akimov.”\u003c\/em\u003e For \u003cem\u003eMotley Tales\u003c\/em\u003e, he structured the entire composition around a giant cascading scroll of paper that doubles as a winding staircase, its folds populated with vivid caricature-style illustrations of classic Chekhovian characters — eccentric aristocrats with umbrellas, dashing bachelors, frantic carriage riders, and a hidden peering policeman — with “А. Чехов” stylised down the central white scroll.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith no recorded print run and the inherent ephemerality of street-posted theatrical broadsides, surviving specimens in excellent condition are genuinely scarce. A compelling document for collectors of Soviet graphic design, Chekhov enthusiasts, or admirers of mid-century theatrical art.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAuthenticity\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e100% Guaranteed Original Vintage Poster — not a modern reprint or reproduction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eArtist \u0026amp; Director: Nikolai Akimov (Николай Павлович Акимов), 1901–1968 — People’s Artist of the USSR\u003cbr\u003e\nProduction: \u003cem\u003eMotley Tales\u003c\/em\u003e (Пёстрые рассказы) — after Anton Chekhov\u003cbr\u003e\nYear: 1960 (designed 1959)\u003cbr\u003e\nTheatre: Leningrad State Comedy Theatre, Leningrad (St. Petersburg), USSR\u003cbr\u003e\nOrigin: USSR (Soviet Union)\u003cbr\u003e\nSize: 60 × 90 cm (23 × 35″)\u003cbr\u003e\nMedium: Offset lithograph on paper\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCondition\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall: Excellent (Vintage Grade A \/ A-)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWear: Minor handling wear consistent with age and original theatrical use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDetails: Colours remain vivid. Paper maintains full structural integrity with no tears or losses.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\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\n\u003ch2\u003eShipping \u0026amp; Packaging\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe handle historic paper with the utmost care to ensure it arrives immaculate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHandling: Dispatched within 1–3 business days from our studio\u003cbr\u003e\nPackaging: Rolled in acid-free tissue paper and shipped in a heavy-duty reinforced mailing tube — no folding, no creasing, no edge damage\u003cbr\u003e\nTracking: Fully tracked from our studio to your door\u003cbr\u003e\nStandard delivery: Registered post (BH Pošta), arriving in 1–4 weeks\u003cbr\u003e\nExpress delivery: DHL Express available at checkout — delivery in 2–5 business days\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eInternational buyers are responsible for any applicable customs fees or import taxes.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFraming\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProfessional custom framing is available for this piece upon request. Contact us before checkout to discuss options and tailored pricing.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Red Archive Studio","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48030266360034,"sku":null,"price":388.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0806\/7828\/9634\/files\/enhanced-matte-paper-poster-_in_-24x36-front-6a56630a078e8_5676d61c-f08d-4405-a009-82965a9ee72f.jpg?v=1784047247","url":"https:\/\/redarchivestudio.com\/fr\/products\/vintage-1960-soviet-chekhov-motley-tales-theatrical-poster-by-nikolai-akimov","provider":"Red Archive Studio","version":"1.0","type":"link"}