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FROM ANTIQUITY TO THE 20TH CENTURY
Lot 254:
This item is the original poster, from the 1920’s, advertising one of these performances in Holland. The current owner obtained the poster in 1968 in Amsterdam.
According to the consignor at that time, "I was leading a Rutgers University student group through the USSR. The last city of our itinerary, before returning to the USA, was Amsterdam; a fun city with a "wild" nightlife scene! On the final night in Europe, our group partied till early dawn at a popular disco, the WOOM, WOOM ROOM! On the wall, near one of the restrooms, hung this impressive Mayakovsky poster. Since we had just left Moscow, we were curious. The manager informed us that Mayakovsky performed at a theater that at one time existed in the neighborhood. By closing time, after consuming our share of Dutch beer and tipping well, the manager and the bartenders knew that we wanted this poster. They were also eager to close the place and get us out the door. Whatever Guilders we had remaining in our pockets were turned over to the manager and we walked to the hotel with Mayakovsky leading the way!"
Footnote:
VLADIMIR MAYAKOVSKY traveled abroad in 1922 and 1925. He was already an established poet with an international reputation and a significant following. Leading European writers, poets, artists, actors, in short, the luminaries of the Western cultural scene sought to meet him. He together with his lover, Lilyi Brick, acquiesced to pose for a portrait by Fernand Leger! Mayakovsky who had an imposing, outgoing personality adored this adulation and welcomed public performances in major cities. He had already acted in the budding, Russian Soviet cinema and was comfortable performing on stage before foreign audiences. The Western press dubbed him “THE LOUDSPEAKER OF THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION”. With this publicity, his performances were frequently sold out. In this respect, he was as unique then as the contemporary “Rock Stars”, like Mick Jagger, are today, minus the t-shirt sales!
26 7/8 x 20 6/8 in., (68.3 x 52.7 cm.)
Condition: Some minor foxing due to age. Some tape in places. Two spots of damage near bottom of piece.
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