Chinese Propaganda Posters

Bloomsbury Auctions in London held an auction last week of vintage Chinese propaganda posters, largely from the 1950s and 60s. In the heyday of what was then called Red China by the West, millions of these were placed in shop windows and factory walls throughout the mainland — all designed to spread fear of U.S. Imperialism and promote the ideals of Communism. Though propaganda in China today is spread via the mouthpieces of state-run radio and television news — or highly-censored news from other countries, some internet access and robust activity with social media give the people at least a chance for balanced understanding of the world.



Gu Yuan Smash Imperialist Invasion and March Forward for the building of Our Peaceful, Happy Life
770 x 530 mm, by Gu Yuan, People's Pictorial [Beijing], 1951.


Chao Yu Resist US and Support Korea to Defend Hometown and Motherland
The edition was 10,000, 770 x 530 mm, by Chao Yu, People's Fine Art Publishing House [Beijing], 1951.


Bi Cheng Defend our Motherland and our Hometown
770 x 530 mm, by Bi Cheng, People's Fine Art Publishing House [Beijing], 1951.


Gu Yuan I am a hero of both fighting and labor
770 x 530 mm, by Gu Yuan, People's Pictorial [Beijing], 1951.


Suzhou artists' association Young students should join the military training class to strengthen the national defence
770 x 530 mm, by Suzhou artists' association, Suzhou Committee of defending world peace and resisting the US imperialist invasion, 1951.


Resist US and Support Korea to Save Neighbors and Ourselves
770 x 530 mm, Chinese People Defending World Peace and Against US Aggression Association, East China General Branch, 1951.


Gu Yuan US invaders must be defeated
770 x 530 mm, with archive stamp from previous owner, by Gu Yuan, People's Fine Art Publishing House [Beijing], 1951.


Gao Junxian Great International Love and Endless Hatred
770 x 530 mm, by Gao Junxian, People's Fine Art Publishing House [Beijing], 1951.


Li Mubai Zhang Jihui, the air force hero of the Korean kids
770 x 530 mm, by Li Mubai, Shanghai Pictorial Publishing House [Shanghai], 1951.


Suzhou artists' association Resist US and support Korea to defend the motherland and family
400 x 530 mm, by Suzhou artists' association, Suzhou Committee of defending world peace and resisting the US imperialist invasion, 1951.


Ye Wenxi Anti-American Empire to aim Japan
530 x 380 mm, original drawing by Ye Wenxi, 1951.


Zhang Ding, Wu Guanchong Long Live the Victory of the Korean People's Army and the Chinese People's Army
530 x 770 mm, by Zhang Ding, Wu Guanchong, People's Fine Art Publishing House [Beijing], 1951.


Ye Shanmou Smash the US imperialist germ war with anti-bio shots for everyone
770 x 530 mm, by Ye Shanmou, People's Fine Art Publishing House [Beijing], 1952.


Miao Su Wipe out fire to save peace
770 x 530 mm, by Miao Su, People's Fine Art Publishing House [Beijing], 1952.


Zhang Biwu Vice Chairman Song and Young Pioneers
770 x 530 mm, by Zhang Biwu, Tianjin People's Art Publishing House, 1963.


Cai Zhenhua With the help of the Soviet Union, we will do our best to realize the modernisation of motherland
770 x 530 mm, by Cai Zhenhua, East China People's Fine Art Publishing House [Shanghai], 1953.


Zhao Yannian Developing More Production can Wipe Out One More Enemy
770 x 530 mm, by Cao Yinian, East China People's Fine Art Publishing House [Shanghai], 1953.


Tao Mouji Save Taiwan Compatriots
770 x 530 mm, by Tao Mouji, East China People's Fine Art Publishing House [Shanghai], 1954.


Weng Yizhi Salute to, and learn from the work models
770 x 530 mm, by Weng Yizhi, Shanghai People's Fine Art Publishing House [Shanghai], 1955.


Oppose the US for interfering with our national affairs
770 x 530 mm, People's Fine Art Publishing House [Beijing], 1958.


Shao Jingkun, Zhao Yu Oppose Warfare
The edition was 10,000, 770 x 530 mm, by Shao Jingkun, Zhao Yu, People's Fine Art Publishing House [Beijing], 1958.


Xing Chen, Shen Lin American Aggressors are Sure to Hang Themselves
770 x 530 mm, with archive stamp from previous owner, by Xing Chen, Shen Lin, Shanghai People's Fine Art Publishing House [Shanghai], 1958.


East Wind Prevails over West Wind
770 x 530 mm, Central Arts and Handcrafts Institute, 1958.


Yang Xianrang Long live the brother friendship of China and Soviet Union
The edition was 19,000, 530 x 770 mm, by Yang Xianrang, People's Fine Art Publishing House [Beijing], 1959.


Wu Yun Form the possible united front in order to win the war against Imperialism
The edition was 6,000, 770 x 530 mm, by Wu Yung, People's Fine Art Publishing House [Beijing], 1960.