1950 Portfolio of Political Propaganda “Nianhua” Prints
革命宣传画, 红色收藏, 年画
NEW YEAR PICTURE PRINTS.   Woodcut Printing, compiled by the New Fine Art Publishing House.
Peking: Printed by Rong Bao Zhai Xin Ji [Jung Pao Chai Hsin Chi], distributed by the Xin Hua Bookstore, 1950.
Collection of 16 original colored full-page woodblock prints, with added watercolor, comprising two sets numbered sequentially 1-8 twice, captioned in English, Russian and Chinese + descriptive foreword broadside (in English and Russian). Small 4to, [16]ff laid paper, each print measuring 11-5/8 x 8-1/8 inches (244 x 205 mm) + folded Foreword (9-3/4 x 13-3/8 inches); in blue silk-covered portfolio with pictorial cover label printed in three languages, rear cover with label “Series # 502”. Light exterior wear but overall complete and in very good condition.
These woodblock prints were first created and published in May 1949 in anticipation of the 1st October 1949 founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Chinese liberation.  The original printing was more delicately rendered in lighter colors.  Traditional woodblock artists adapted their craft by creating political propaganda images, initially captioned only in Chinese for domestic circulation; this 1950 set in three languages was intended for export distribution.