I read The Crocodile. The price of the magazine is 15 kopecks. (Senkin S.) Soviet Posters (1917-1941)

This is a Soviet propaganda poster from 1925, designed by S. Senkin, titled I read The Crocodile. The price of the magazine is 15 kopecks.

What I see:

The poster features a large, close-up image of a mans face rendered in black and white against a vibrant red background. The man is wearing a dark cap and has a boisterous, exaggerated grin, with his eyes squinted in amusement and his teeth bared. His expression is one of hearty laughter and enjoyment.

Dominating the upper right of the poster is large, stylized lettering indicating the price: 15 KOPECKS. THE PRICE OF THE JOURNAL. To the lower right of the mans face, the large black Cyrillic letter Я (meaning I) is prominently displayed, partially overlapping his chin and shoulder, connecting him directly to the text below.

Below the man and to the left, in bold white lettering, are the words ЧИТАЮ (I read) and then КРОКОДИЛ (The Crocodile) in larger, black lettering framed by a thick horizontal line.

The overall aesthetic is bold, graphic, and energetic, typical of early Soviet avant-garde art and propaganda.

Subtexts:

• Propaganda and Persuasion: The primary purpose is to promote the magazine Krokodil (The Crocodile). By depicting a man genuinely enjoying the magazine, it aims to attract readers and encourage them to purchase it.
• The Krokodil Magazine: Krokodil was a popular satirical magazine published in the Soviet Union known for its political and social satire, cartoons, and humorous articles. The poster suggests that reading Krokodil is an enjoyable and engaging activity.
• The Everyman Reader: The man depicted appears to be an ordinary Soviet citizen, perhaps a worker. His unrefined but joyful expression suggests that the magazine is accessible, relatable, and entertaining for the masses, appealing to a sense of collective identity and shared experience.
• Satire and Criticism: The name Krokodil itself, being a predatory and somewhat grotesque animal, hints at the magazines critical and satirical nature. It implies the magazine devours or exposes societal flaws and shortcomings through humor.
• Literacy and Cultural Engagement: In the context of the early Soviet Union, encouraging reading and engagement with cultural products like magazines was part of the broader campaign for literacy and ideological formation. This poster promotes a specific form of cultural consumption.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Mentioning the price of 15 kopecks emphasizes that the magazine is affordable and accessible to most people, further reinforcing its mass appeal.
• Personal Identification: The prominent Я (I) directly links the viewer to the act of reading and enjoying the magazine. It invites the viewer to imagine themselves in the place of the laughing man, experiencing the same pleasure and engagement.