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.
