This week we present some early 20th-century typographic Yiddish poster designs from Latvia. These come from a collection of 78 posters composed in metal and wood type in Hebrew, Roman, and some Cyrillic typefaces. The posters are “show-print” style advertisements, some with colorful rainbow-roll printing, mainly for performances and presentations (theater, vaudeville, music, lectures, etc.) in the 1920s and 1930s. They range in size from 9″x 13″ / 23 x 33 cm (smallest) to 29″x 44″ / 23.66 x 111.75 cm (largest), with the majority about 23″x 36″ / 58.42 x 91.45 cm. All the posters have been digitized, which you may find in our Digital Collections.
Here’s some information about each poster, starting from the top:
1.) A metal and wood type poster advocating for a vote for a pro-Zionist workers' movement or action, ca. 1925. Languages: Yiddish and Latvian.
2.) A poster in metal and wood type announcing the performance of Der Dorfs-Jung, 'a world famous drama in four acts' in Daugavpils, Latvia. There is also choir singing Russian songs; a 'first class ballet', which will include a 'ghost dance', as well as a Russian dance; a grand ball with a lottery will go until 4 a.m after the drama. Languages: Yiddish, Latvian, and German.
3.) A metal and wood type poster advertising an event featuring two performances, The Crazy Idler and Manachem-Mendl, the World Matchmaker in Daugavpils, Latvia, March 10, 1928. The performances are followed by a dance. Languages: Yiddish and Latvian.
4.) A poster in metal and wood type advertising a Purim ball at the Davinsker Ayznban Teyater in Daugavpils, Latvia, March 7, 1926, where there were two different productions, and activities to follow. There was also a 'rich buffet', a dance until 4 in the morning, lottery, flowers, and confetti. Languages: Latvian, Russian, Yiddish.
5.) A metal and wood type poster advertising performances of two operettas on two separate nights, at the Teater Palas in Riga, Latvia. The first is a performance of What a Girl Knows and is a benefit for Esther Zevkina, March 20, 1926. The second is a performance of Whimper and Whine, March 21, 1926. Languages: Latvian and Yiddish.
6.) A poster in metal and wood type advertising a benefit for destitute school-children at the Lotgelisher Teater, Latvia, August 12, 1928. The program includes performances of Chekov’s A Marriage Proposal and The Bear; performances of Yiddish Children’s Folk Songs; Gymnastics; a dance lasting until 3 in the morning. Languages: Latvian and Yiddish.
7.) A poster in metal and wood type advertising an event hosted by a Socialist- Zionist youth organization in Daugavpils, Latvia, August 21st, 1925. It is both a concert and a rally, with six speakers, including Anna Molk who will be both singing and speaking. The poster invites workers, artisans, employees, and small business owners to this 7th meeting. Languges: Yiddish and Latvian.
8.) A metal and wood type poster advertising two operettas at the Teater Palas in Riga, Latvia: The Old Hag, February 13,1926, and Der Yakshn, February 14, 1926. Languages: Latvian and Yiddish.
9.) A poster in metal and wood type advertising a public meeting of the Daugavpils chapter of the Jewish Labor Bund, September 18, 1922. Languages: Latvian, Yiddish, and Russian.
10.) A metal and wood type poster printed in a rainbow roll announcing an event for a high-school-aged young adults honoring Hanukkah in Daugavpils, Latvia, December 4,1926. It includes two drama performances, and is followed by a dance. Languages: Yiddish and Latvian.
