Original 1960 Soviet Theatrical Poster – Nikolai Akimov – “Motley Tales” after Chekhov – Leningrad Theatre of Comedy

A 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 Motley Tales (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.

Akimov 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: “Stage composition, production, and decorations by People’s Artist of the RSFSR, N. P. Akimov.” For Motley Tales, 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.

With 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.

Authenticity

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

Artist & Director: Nikolai Akimov (Николай Павлович Акимов), 1901–1968 — People’s Artist of the USSR
Production: Motley Tales (Пёстрые рассказы) — after Anton Chekhov
Year: 1960 (designed 1959)
Theatre: Leningrad State Comedy Theatre, Leningrad (St. Petersburg), USSR
Origin: USSR (Soviet Union)
Size: 60 × 90 cm (23 × 35″)
Medium: Offset lithograph on paper

Condition

Overall: Excellent (Vintage Grade A / A-)

Wear: Minor handling wear consistent with age and original theatrical use.

Details: Colours remain vivid. Paper maintains full structural integrity with no tears or losses.

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 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.