Victoria & James Edison

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Cultural Revolution Posters & Memorabilia

The Cultural Revolution in China was a time of upheaval and change. Millions of lives were disrupted and much effort was spent by the government and the Party to "reeducate" the populace through a great propaganda campaign. Posters, ceramic statues, Red Books, pins, and a myriad of other means were designed to get the message across. Now, after the opening of China to the West, these things are finding their way into the collector's market. In this remarkable volume, the history of an era and the material culture that it generated are shown in over 450 color images. They include 180 posters that set the tone as art and as propaganda. The iconography of the posters was used to rally the people around the programs and personalities of the Maoist regime. In addition there are hundreds of ceramic statues, "Little Red Books," awards, ration coupons, wall hangings, prints, and many other objects included that promoted the Cultural Revolution and sought to influence the Chinese people. For graphic artists, collectors, and Sino-historians, these items have growing importance. With its concise and informative history and beautiful color illustrations, this book provides an introductory guide to the meaning and value of a variety of the most common posters and artifacts to be found in markets in China and the West, along with brief explanations of their historical background and their current value.