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Imperialism is Aggression, Cold War

Item Type: Poster

Year: c.1967 - 58 years old

Artist: L. Rakov

Size: 26.0" x 38.0" (66cm x 97cm)

Condition: Good

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Condition Details


Age appropriate fading, toning and wear. Conservation mounted on linen. Poster printed on thicker stock. Small background obtrusions scattered in background. Restored border wear and two small border tears. Diagonal fold in lower right corner. Restored tear in upper right corner. Please use zoom feature to get a better understanding of overall condition. *Additional photos available upon request, Please use zoom feature to get a better understanding of overall condition.

Description

This original 1967 Soviet poster, designed by artist L. Rakov, is a powerful example of Cold War-era propaganda. Issued by Izogiz, the state publishing house responsible for political art and educational graphics, it was part of a broader campaign to denounce Western military intervention, particularly during the Vietnam War. The bold red and white imagery transforms the American flag into an instrument of destruction, its stripes painted as fiery trails while black bombers descend from the sky.

Rakov’s design uses minimalist forms to deliver maximum emotional impact. By stripping the flag of its traditional symbolism and reinterpreting it as a visual metaphor for violence, the poster turns national identity into a critique of power. The raw, gestural quality of the brushstrokes emphasizes chaos and aggression, reinforcing the Soviet narrative that imperialism equated to warfare and oppression.

Printed in Moscow, this poster reflects the graphic sophistication of Soviet visual culture in the 1960s, when artists like Rakov employed bold abstraction and limited color palettes to convey complex political ideas. Today, it stands as both a historical artifact and a compelling piece of visual protest art, representing the intense ideological divide that defined the global atmosphere of 1967.

Size: 38.0" x 26.0"

Artist: L. Rakov

Condition: Good, Age appropriate fading, toning and wear. Conservation mounted on linen. Poster printed on thicker stock. Small background obtrusions scattered in background. Restored border wear and two small border tears. Diagonal fold in lower right corner. Restored tear in upper right corner. Please use zoom feature to get a better understanding of overall condition. *Additional photos available upon request,

Condition Details

Condition - Good

Age appropriate fading, toning and wear. Conservation mounted on linen. Poster printed on thicker stock. Small background obtrusions scattered in background. Restored border wear and two small border tears. Diagonal fold in lower right corner. Restored tear in upper right corner. Please use zoom feature to get a better understanding of overall condition. *Additional photos available upon request,

Grading System

We us a widely recognized 6 scale system to grade our posters.

  • MINT - A poster in mint condition looks like it just came off of the press. It will have no blemishes or defects of any kind. It can be folded or rolled, depending on the original packing method (most movie posters were sent folded).
  • NEAR MINT - A poster in near mint condition may have minor imperfections in the border only. The artwork is in excellent condition with no blemishes whatsoever.
  • VERY GOOD - A poster in very good condition may have blemishes in the border and up to approximately one inch of the poster's artwork. There may be small tears in the artwork along the fold lines only. It may also have minor fading. In general, a poster in very good condition may show some wear and often will project a subtle classic vintage vibe without detracting from the artwork.
  • GOOD - A poster in good condition may have tears or small holes that measure no larger than a quarter on the outer edges of the poster's artwork. Pieces of the border may be torn or missing or have holes; there may be mild bleed-through in the outer area of the artwork; there may be mild fading. In general, a poster in good condition will have minor blemishes around the border and into the outer edges of the artwork. The major area of the artwork will be clear of any blemishes. Some people actually prefer this type of poster, which definitely shows some age and character.
  • FAIR - A poster in fair condition may have major blemishes that directly affect the artwork of the poster. The poster is recognizable and the artwork is primarily intact. A poster in fair condition can benefit from professional restoration.
  • POOR - Posters in poor condition will have serious blemishes or tears or in such poor shape that even the slightest handling might add to the damage. In many cases, a poster in this condition should be professionally restored.
Shipping

All items are carefully hand-packed and shipped in a sturdy tube within 3 business days of payment unless otherwise indicated. Some items which were previously folded or not suitable for rolling will be sent in a flat pack. Please note that an adult signature may be required upon delivery, so we are unable to ship to PO boxes. Unless otherwise noted in the product description or a special offer, shipping rates are as follows:

Posters

  • Domestic shipping- USA: $15 (FREE USA shipping over $75)
  • Canada/Mexico: $40
  • Europe: $50 USD
  • Australia/New Zealand/Japan/Singapore: $65
  • Israel: $50

Antique Prints

  • Domestic Shipping- USA: $10.00 (FREE USA shipping over $75)
  • Canada/Mexico: $30
  • Europe: $35 USD
  • Australia/New Zealand/Japan/Singapore: $40
  • Israel: $40

NOTE for International Shipments: Shipping rates do not include international taxes or duties which may be charged by your country's border customs control agency. 

Returns

Our Guarantee

All of our posters are guaranteed to be authentic and as described in the product description to the best of our knowledge and belief, and in good faith. Quite simply, if you are not satisfied with your purchase for any reason, simply contact us within 14 days of receipt and we'll gladly accept your return, providing the item is in the same condition as it was sent.

Returns

Our policy lasts 14 days. If 14 days have gone by since your purchase, unfortunately, we can’t offer you a refund or exchange.

To be eligible for a return, your item must be in the same condition that you received it. It must also be sent in the original packaging.

There are certain situations where only partial refunds are granted (if applicable). Any item not in its original condition, is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to our error. Any item that is returned more than 14 days after delivery may also be ineligible.

Once your return is received and inspected, we will send you an email to notify you that we have received your returned item. Your refund will be processed, and a credit will automatically be applied to your credit card or original method of payment, within two business days. Original shipping costs are not refundable. 

Shipping

To return your product, you should mail your product to:

Authentic Vintage Posters- RETURNS
7514 Girard Ave
STE 1615
La Jolla, CA 92037

You will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable.

If you are returning an item over $75, you should consider using a trackable shipping service and purchasing shipping insurance. We can't guarantee that we will receive your returned item.

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Let us know if you have any questions about Imperialism is Aggression, Cold War. We can send you more photos if you'd like or answer any questions you have in particular. Thanks for your interest.