Workers, do not be afraid of high cost and NEP – buy cheap bread! In all shops and kiosks MOSSELPROMA a stone's throw from any house! (Rodchenko A., Mayakovsky V.) Soviet Posters (1917-1941)

This is a Soviet propaganda poster from 1923, created by Alexander Rodchenko and Vladimir Mayakovsky. The poster, titled Workers, do not be afraid of high cost and NEP - buy cheap bread!, features bold typography and a stylized design. Blue and white diagonal stripes form the background, intersected by a diamond shape outlined in red and brown. Inside the diamond, four different types of bread are depicted: сеянный (seeded), чёрный (black), сытный (hearty), and булки (rolls). A prominent 15% скидки (15% discount) is emphasized in the center. Below the diamond, the text reads ВО ВСЕХ МАГАЗИНАХ И КИОСКАХ МОССЕЛЬПРОМА (In all shops and kiosks of Mosselprom) and В ДВУХ ШАГАХ ОТ ЛЮБОГО ДОМА! (Within two steps of any home!).
The posters subtexts convey a strong message of reassurance and capitalist appeal to the working class during the New Economic Policy (NEP) era. The bold declaration that workers should not fear high cost and NEP suggests a difficult economic climate. However, the poster immediately counteracts this by promising cheap bread and a substantial 15% discount, presenting Mosselprom as a solution to these economic anxieties. The depiction of various types of bread and the emphasis on their widespread availability (within two steps of any home) aim to normalize and democratize access to essential goods. The overall subtext is one of government-sponsored affordability and accessibility, urging the working class to participate in the new economic system by purchasing essential goods at discounted prices from state-controlled enterprises. The collaborative effort of Rodchenko (known for his constructivist art) and Mayakovsky (a prominent poet and propagandist) ensured a powerful and visually striking message designed to resonate with and influence public behavior.