Large format measuring approx. 19" x 26". This poster-map was most likely created to propagandize Stalin's First Five-Year Plan (1929 - 1933) of industrialization of the country. The map is not precise, and the captions are tied to regions rather than specific places. But it is sufficiently clear what Stalin's plans were in terms of what industry was to rise at which region.

In very good condition. The map is folded in 16, and each end of each fold line, as well as each intersection of them show a tiny separation. However, being a one-sided poster, this can be easily fixed with library tape on the verso.

The most unusual feature of this map is that all the text on it, from the title to the legend, is in verse. And even though the authorship of the poetry is not stated, the style is unmistakably Mayakovsky.

Vladimir Mayakovsky (Владимир Владимирович Маяковский, 1893 - 1930) was, and still is, one of the best-known Russian and Soviet poets worldwide. He became renowned as one of the leading figures of the Russian Futurist movement. The novelty and scale of promises and actions made by the Bolsheviks gripped creative imagination of Mayakovsky the Futurist. He very actively supported the Soviet State in his poetry, ranging from large poems ("Vladimir Ilyich Lenin", "A Cloud in Trousers", "All Right!", etc.) to rhymed captions for commercial or political ads.

On 12 April 1930 Mayakovsky committed suicide by a gunshot in the heart, ostensibly following a row with his last love Veronika Polonskaya. However, people closest to Mayakovsky, said that thoughts of suicide had been hanging over Mayakovsky's head like a black shadow, for years.

Please note that the pen in our photo is for size reference.