A Group of Six Russian Satirical Lubki Prints

Item Details

Unknown, Unknown, 1914-16

Excellent

Six Russian Lubok (plural: Lubki) prints.

All are hand-colored lithographs on laid paper, and very clean with only the faintest even toning. Note: The final print, "Council of the Wicked," appears darker then the actual paper, which is actually the same color as the other 5 images. 

Deckles as noted. 

Lubok/Lubki prints are a distinct Russian form of caricature and satire, characterized by simple graphics and narratives derived from literature, religious stories, moral lessons, popular tales and current events, including wars.

See individual descriptions for details about each of the prints offered here as a group. All translations in italics are by Google.

These prints are part of a series of satirical and caricature Lubki, in this case mostly propaganda related to Russia’s 1914 war with the German Empire. They were produced around 1914, prior to the Russian Revolution of 1917.

1. Where the Devil Carried Him!
Image = 7.75 x 10.25 inches; Sheet = 9.25 x 12.25; deckles on three edges.
Where the devil carried him! It hit him hard in the nose.

2. The Hungry Pig! 
Image = 7.25 x 9.0 inches; Sheet = 9.25 x 12.25; deckles on three edges.
To the hungry pigs.
 The Russian People had Russian bread.
 It was never enough for them.
 And now they eat whatever.

3. The German Kaiser—The Scoundrel!
Image = 6.875 x 7.375 inches; Sheet = 9.25 x 12.625; deckles on three edges.
The German scoundrel was so amused that he entertained himself with a flask of beer.
 Hey, you, jester, jester! Your time will come to an end.                                                                                     

4. The Kaiser Drinks and Makes Merry!
Image = 7.25 x 9.375 inches; Sheet = 9.25 x 12.5; deckles on two edges.
The Kaiser drinks and makes merry from the mountain, and his wife nags him: whether you drink or not, the allies will beat you. 

5. The Pig’s Days are Numbered!
Image = 7.125 x 9.375 inches; Sheet = 9.125 x 12.75; deckles on two edges.
He will soon slaughter the pig.

6. Council of the Wicked!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Image = 7.125 x 9.25 inches; Sheet = 9.375 x 12.5; deckles on two edges.                                                                                                                                                 A council of the wicked. 

Price includes USPS Priority postage to addresses in contiguous 48 states. Cost of postage to be added for all others.

From Pied Oxen Printers' collection of objects related to print and book history.