Collection of Korean War Propaganda - pro and con Korea, China, Russian and America
Korea: 1952-1953. A collection of Korean War propaganda, showcasing the intensity and vitriol employed by both sides through visual warfare. In total, there are twenty-eight (28) items representing four (4) languages: Korean, Chinese, Russian, and English. Several of the items were produced by American forces with the intention of convincing Chinese soldiers to abandon their post and seek asylum with the U.N. Propaganda appears in political cartoon or newsletter form, as well as (what appear to be fake) accounts from Chinese soldiers asserting good treatment from the U.N.
The twenty-eight (28) items include:
[Anti-war political cartoon with message in Chinese. c.1953]. A political cartoon with anti-war message addressed to Chinese officers and soldiers in North Korea. Possibly originating from U.S. forces? Printed in blue, measuring 5" by 8". Toned, vertical crease, minor dust soiling.
"A Third Winter of War". [Korea:] U.S. Psychological Warfare Division, [1952]. A Chinese-language political cartoon printed in blue and black showing soldiers suffering through another winter. Measures 11" by 4", toned. Stapled in upper left-hand corner to a leaf typewritten in English by Psychological Warfare Division with a translation and explanation, measuring 13" by 8". Toned.
[Carbon copy letter, c.1953]. A carbon copy addressed to the "Officers and Men of The U.S. Armed Forces" from "The Chinese People's Volunteer Forces". It is in careful cursive, and English: "Never believe in those illwilled fabrications of sheer propaganda of your Boss ... We are one in the common struggle of upholding peace and opposing war. With the knowledge that you are peace inclined people but duped and whipped here to fight this infamous war. So we guarantee you good treatment as soon as you lay down your arms..." Measures 5" by 6.25", verso blank. Vertical crease, minor toning, edge wear.
"CCF Flag; Flag of Aggression". [Korea:] U.S. Psychological Warfare Division, 1952. An effort by American forces to "familiarize Chinese troops with the various visual symbols used by the U.N." The image resembles the Chinese flag but replaces the star with a skull, warning Chinese soldier of death. Measures 2" by 2.5". Stapled in upper left-hand corner to a leaf typewritten in English by Psychological Warfare Division with a translation and explanation, measuring 10.5" by 8". Toned.
"CCF Surrender Appeal". [Korea:] U.S. Psychological Warfare Division, 1951. Printed political cartoon propaganda in Chinese from American forces urging surrender. Measures 7.5" by 5", toned. Stapled in upper left-hand corner to a leaf typewritten in English by Psychological Warfare Division with a translation and explanation, measuring 10.5" by 8". Toned with some spotting.
[Chinese propaganda, c.1953]. Chinese language illustrated propaganda flyer printed on pink paper with images of food along the border. Measures 7" by 5", verso blank.
"Far East Command". [Korea:] First Radio Broadcasting and Leaflet Group, 1953. Chinese-language propaganda by American forces telling the story of a Chinese soldier who supposedly was able to escape and be welcomed by the U.N. Includes cartoon drawing and a photo. Measures 5" by 8", minor toning. Stapled in upper left-hand corner to a leaf typewritten in English by the Leaflet Group with a translation and explanation, measuring 10.5" by 8". Toned.
"Free World Weekly Digest, Issue No. 84". [Korea:] First Radio Broadcasting and Leaflet Group, 1952. Chinese-language propaganda by American forces in the form of a newsletter with cartoons and photo-illustrations. Measures 10" by 8", some toning. Previously stapled in upper left-hand corner to a leaf typewritten in English by the Leaflet Group with a translation and explanation, measuring 10.5" by 8". Toned.
"Free World Weekly Digest, Issue Nr. 112". [Korea:] First Radio Broadcasting and Leaflet Group, 1953. Chinese-language propaganda by American forces in the form of a newsletter with cartoons and photo-illustrations. Measures 10" by 8", some toning. Stapled in upper left-hand corner to a leaf typewritten in English by the Leaflet Group with a translation and explanation, measuring 10.5" by 8". Toned.
"Free World Weekly Digest, Special Issue". [Korea:] First Radio Broadcasting and Leaflet Group, 1952. Chinese-language propaganda by American forces in the form of a newsletter with photo-illustrations. Measures 10" by 8", some toning. Stapled in upper left-hand corner to a leaf typewritten in English by the Leaflet Group with a translation and explanation, measuring 10.5" by 8". Toned.
"India's Role in the Korean Truce". [Korea:] First Radio Broadcasting and Leaflet Group, 1953. Chinese-language propaganda from American forces attempting to convince Chinese prisoners of war that India was instrumental in a truce. Measures 10" by 8", some toning. Stapled in upper left-hand corner to a leaf typewritten in English by the Leaflet Group with a translation and explanation, measuring 10.5" by 8". Toned.
[Korean political cartoon propaganda. South Korea, c.1953]. A political cartoon in Korean for Koreans, with an anti-communist and anti-Russian message. Printed in red on recto, green on verso. Measures 4" by 5". Minor toning, one or two tiny short tears, vertical crease.
[Korean political cartoon propaganda. South Korea, c.1953]. What appears to be a political cartoon in Korean for Koreans, decrying the U.N.'s involvement and asking, through the medium of a crying baby, why innocents must be involved in the war. Printed in red and black, measuring 5" by 7.5". Minor toning, letter folds, tear along upper right-hand edge (not affecting image or text).
"Message to 67th CCF Division". [Korea:] U.S. Psychological Warfare Division, [1953]. Printed leaflet with gory political cartoon: "SOLDIERS OF THE 67TH CCF DIVISION. WILL THIS HAPPEN TO YOU?" Printed in red and black on pink paper. Measures 5.5" by 8". Previously stapled in upper-left hand corner to a leaf typewritten in English by Psychological Warfare Division with a translation and explanation, measuring 10.5" by 8". Minor toning, short tears.
"Message to 67th CCF Division". [Korea:] U.S. Psychological Warfare Division, 1953. Printed political cartoon propaganda trying to confince Chinese soldiers to defect tot he U.N. Printed in red and black on yellow paper. Measures 11" by 3.5". Minor toning. Stapled in upper left-hand corner to leaf typewritten by the Division with explanation and translation, measuring 10.5" by 8". Minor toning, short tears.
"Message to Students of Zumgang Political Academy". [Korea:] U.S. Psychological Warfare Division, 1952. Korean-language propaganda by American forces targeting Korean students. Measures 5.5" by 8", printed in red and blue. One small nick/short tear to upper edge. Stapled in upper-left hand corner to a leaf typewritten in English by Psychological Warfare Division with a translation and explanation, measuring 10.5" by 8". Minor toning, short tears to upper edge.
"Moscow Conference". [Korea:] First Radio Broadcasting and Leaflet Group, 1953. Chinese-language propaganda from American forces attempting to reinforce resentment of Chinese towards Russians. Measures 8" by 5", some toning. Loose, but previously stapled in upper left-hand corner to a leaf typewritten in English by the Leaflet Group with a translation and explanation, measuring 10.5" by 8". Toned.
"No War was Ever Won That the Rear Stood Against". [England, c.1953]. Anti-war propaganda distributed in Great Britain, in an effort to stop the U.S. intervention in Korea: "Throughout the world the peace-loving people are demanding the American imperialists to stop their intervention in Korea. Not only civilians of different countries but soldiers themselves also are crying for the restoration of justice and human law." Verso printed in faint purple ink, with photo of soldiers against intervention. Printed in blue, measuring 7.25" by 5", photo-illustrated, two hole punched at head. Short tears, wear, dust soiling.
[Original political cartoon.] Untitled and unattributed, c.1953. An incisive political cartoon depicting Russia and China pulling Korea northward, with the United States and U.N. pulling it southward. Visually references the idea of proxy war and communism. Blue ballpoint pen, pink highlighter, and gray pen on paper (7.5" by 6"), verso blank. Minor short tears, remnants of adhesive/other paper to verso. Minor toning.
"Rehabilitation news, issue No. 17". [Korea:] First Radio Broadcasting and Leaflet Group, 1953. Korean-language propaganda by American forces in the form of a newsletter with photo-illustrations. Details the rebuilding of a textile mill in Korea after "the ravages of the communist invasion". Measures 10.5" by 8", some toning. Stapled in upper left-hand corner to a leaf typewritten in English by the Leaflet Group with a translation and explanation, measuring 10.5" by 8". Toned.
Russian-language propaganda produced by the Far East Command, 1953. Appears to urge "comrade pilots" to abandon their "communist yokes" and join the other side, with typewritten message and facsimile signature of U.S. Army Officer Mark W. Clark. Measures 10" by 8", some toning, two hole punch at head.
"Support Withheld". [Korea:] First Radio Broadcasting and Leaflet Group, 1953. Chinese-language political cartoon propaganda from American forces attempting to reinforce resentment of Chinese towards Russians. Measures 8" by 5", some toning. Loose, but previously stapled in upper left-hand corner to a leaf typewritten in English by the Leaflet Group with a translation and explanation, measuring 10.5" by 8". Toned.
"Surrender Instruction". [Korea:] U.S. Psychological Warfare Division, [1953]. Printed leaflet with map showing Chinese soldiers how to escape and seek U.N. asylum. Measures 6" by 5", verso blank. Stapled in upper-left hand corner to a leaf typewritten in English by Psychological Warfare Division with a translation and explanation, measuring 10.5" by 8". Minor toning.
"Surrender Instruction". [Korea:] U.S. Psychological Warfare Division, [1953]. Printed leaflet with map showing Chinese soldiers how to defect to the U.N. Measures 6" by 5", verso blank. Stapled in upper-left hand corner to a leaf typewritten in English by Psychological Warfare Division with a translation and explanation, measuring 10.5" by 8". Minor toning.
"Testimonial to 83rd Regt, 8th NKPA Div". [Korea:] U.S. Psychological Warfare Division, 1952. Korean-language propaganda produced by American forces with a supposed testimonial of the good treatment offered by the U.N. to Chinese soldiers. Printed in pink, blue, and red. Measures 8" by 5.5". Stapled in upper-left hand corner to a leaf typewritten in English by Psychological Warfare Division with a translation and explanation, measuring 10.5" by 8". Minor toning.
[Untitled carbon copy, c.1953]. A carbon copy with Chinese script, and English translation in all-caps above: "NO FEAR, NEVER KILL YOU OR TAKE AWAY YOUR PERSONAL THINGS. GUARANTEE ALL YOU TO BE SAFE." Measures approx. 3" by 7.5", verso blank. Some wear, dust soiling, evidence of previous adhesive to foot.
[Untitled carbon copy, c.1953]. A carbon copy with message in English from the Chinese People's Volunteer Forces addressed to "U.S. Officers and Men": "Just think some things over before you hold the rifle and go to death in action!!!" Measures approx. 3.5" by 7.75", light toning, letter folds, edge wear.
"Welcome to 133rd CCF Division". [Korea:] U.S. Psychological Warfare Division, 1953. Printed leaflet in Chinese depicting a soldier who tells of how he escaped and was welcomed into the U.N. with open arms. Printed in pink, black and red, measuring 10" by 8". Stapled in upper left-hand corner to a leaf typewritten in English by Psychological Warfare Division with a translation and explanation, measuring 10.5" by 8". Toned, short tears. Very good. Toning, some occasional short tears or rust from staples.
Price: $3,200.00
Item #22006770