Title:
Original 1950s Anti-Communist Political Cartoon by Jerry Costello – Depicting Stalin and Totalitarian Propaganda

Description:
Original hand-drawn political cartoon by American editorial cartoonist Jerry Costello, executed in black ink, graphite, and white gouache on heavy artist board, measuring approximately 11" x 14". Signed in the lower left corner. This stark and powerful image features a caricature of Joseph Stalin, instantly recognizable by his thick mustache and military-style jacket, grinning smugly with a pipe in his mouth. Stalin is shown dealing from a large hand of cards, each labeled with a different sinister term: PRETENSE, LIES, TORTURE, DECEIT, AGGRESSION, DOUBLE-DEALING, HALF-TRUTH, and BARBARISM. Emblazoned across his chest is the word COMMUNISM, tying each card—each tactic—to the ideological system he represents. Smoke from Stalin's pipe wafts ominously across the background, reinforcing the mood of deception and authoritarian menace.

Historical Context:
This cartoon was likely drawn during the height of Cold War tensions in the early 1950s, when Joseph Stalin (1878–1953) led the Soviet Union and was regarded in the West as the embodiment of Communist tyranny. After World War II, Stalin’s expansionist policies across Eastern Europe, brutal domestic purges, and international propaganda campaigns created an atmosphere of global suspicion and fear. This cartoon reflects the pervasive anti-Communist sentiment in mid-century American media, particularly among editorial cartoonists who used sharp satire to expose perceived Soviet hypocrisy and authoritarianism.

Stalin’s depiction as a scheming card dealer aligns with the Western narrative of Communist duplicity—a regime that, while preaching equality, masked its atrocities behind propaganda and repression. Each card he deals represents a tool of totalitarian control, and together they form a deck built not on political principle, but on terror and deceit.

The artist, Gerald “Jerry” Costello (1897–1971), was a leading editorial cartoonist for the Knickerbocker News from 1922 to 1962. Earlier in his career, Costello worked for Walt Disney Studios and sold his first animation to Bray Productions—home to Fleischer Studios—in 1918. Costello’s editorial cartoons, characterized by bold pen strokes, symbolic depth, and unflinching political commentary, frequently addressed Cold War themes, including the dangers of totalitarianism, political corruption, and threats to democracy. His work is held in the permanent collections of the Library of Congress, Columbia University, and Princeton University, and continues to serve as a visual chronicle of American political consciousness during the 20th century.

Authentication & Encapsulation:
N/A

• Additional Documentation & Provenance: At buyer’s request, Historical Autographs Gallery will include an additional “Historical Autographs Gallery Certificate” signed by our company founder Luke Pascal at no cost.

Closing Appeal:
A powerful and visually arresting indictment of Stalinist Communism, this original Jerry Costello cartoon encapsulates the stark moral divide of the early Cold War era. Its combination of biting satire, iconic symbolism, and masterful execution makes it an exceptional acquisition for collectors of anti-Communist memorabilia, Cold War ephemera, and original American editorial art.

Shipping Notice:
For insurance purposes, items sold over $600 may require signature confirmation upon delivery. Higher-value items, likely over $1,500, are shipped via FedEx 2-Day with Direct Signature Confirmation. FedEx provides the most flexibility when requiring a signature, allowing you to make special delivery requests directly through their tracking system. This ensures both security and convenience for the buyer.