Anti-Drunk Driving, Soviet Propaganda

This Soviet road safety poster from the late 1960s delivers its anti-drunk driving message with characteristically dark Eastern Bloc humor. Created by artists M. A. Abramov and Zhanna Lvova, with verse by beloved Soviet poet Sergei Mikhalkov, the composition traps a broken figure inside a vodka bottle, his crutches and bandaged head telling the aftermath of a crash depicted in the background. The poster was Sheet 6 in a series of 10 road safety warnings published by Moscow's Transport Publishing House, part of a state campaign addressing rising traffic accidents as private car ownership increased across the Soviet Union. The Moskovskaya vodka label on the bottle left no ambiguity about the message: wine and vodka change how you walk, permanently. A standout piece for collectors of Soviet propaganda, this poster exemplifies the genre's ability to combine official messaging with memorable graphic impact. The limited yellow and green palette against gray creates striking visual economy, while the conceptual illustration transcends language barriers to deliver its sobering warning. Size: 22.0" x 16.25" Condition: Very Good, Age-appropriate wear, fading and toning. Soft rolls. General border wear. Minor corner wear. Please use the photo zoom feature to get a better understanding of overall condition. *Additional photos available upon request.