Political Posters

The “All Of Us Or None” (AOUON) archive project was started by Free Speech Movement activist Michael Rossman in 1977 to gather and document posters of modern progressive movements in the United States. Though some early works are included, its focus is on the domestic political poster renaissance that began in 1965 and continues to this day. When Rossman died May 12, 2008 his family donated the collection to the Oakland Museum of California. More …

The Archive gathered posters from all streams of progressive activity — from movements of protest, liberation, and affirmative action, trade union and community struggles, to electoral and environmental organizing, community services, and visionary manifestos. It is strongest in work from the San Francisco Bay Area, but its scope is national: approximately one-quarter of its holdings come from out of state, primarily New York City, Boston, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. These are complemented by a representation of international work. The collection consists of approximately 24,500 distinct titles.

The collection includes examples from well-known graphic artists including Malaquías Montoya, Emory Douglas, Rachael Romero, Rupert Garcia, Yolanda Lopez, Favianna Rodriguez, Carlos Cortez, Nancy Hom, Juan Fuentes, and Jos Sances, as well as material from seminal collective workshops such as La Raza Silkscreen, the Royal Chicano Air Force, Japantown Art and Media, Kearny Street Workshop, and Inkworks Press. Perhaps more important, the depth and breadth of the collection reveals the contribution of numerous lesser known or even anonymous artists whose cumulative impact on this democratic public art form has yet to be properly understood.

The cataloging of the AOUON Archive was made possible by a generous grant from the Stephen M. Silberstein Foundation.

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This Year Give Grass 1967 Multicolor poster has a stylized image of a stoned Santa Claus slipping down a smoking chimney. His hat reads "This Year Give Grass".	International Blunt Funk 1997 Multicolor poster has a stylized image of a man sitting on a bathroom toilet reading a newspaper and smoking a marijuana joint. On the back of the toilet is a marijuana plant. Centered at the top...
Columbian Gold 1978 Poster has white unprinted edges enclosing a black background with a color photo of a marijuana bud. Centered at the bottom is "Columbia Gold" in black.	Grateful Dead Late 20th Early 21st Century Multicolor poster has a stylized image of skeletons playing instruments and holding roses, with a skull with a lightning bolt in the cranial cavity at the center. At the top is "Grateful Dead" in...
Kilo Stack 1979 Poster has white unprinted edges enclosing a color photo of a stack of marijuana, with two rolled joints in front. Centered at the bottom is "Kilo Stack" in black.	Last Dance Late 20th Early 21st Century Poster has white unprinted edges enclosing a color illustration of a man''s face. The man is wearing glasses and has shaggy hair and a beard. At the bottom right is "Last Dance / Jim Cataldo" in...
Grateful Dead 1978 Poster cut in a circle with a stylized skeleton wearing a crown of red roses, set on a blue background. Around the edges is "Grateful . Dead" with two red roses.	The Jimi Hendrix Experience Electric Ladyland Late 20th Early 21st Century Poster has a black printed background with a multicolor image of a man in a hat surrounded by naked women. At the bottom right is "The Jimi Hendrix Experience Electric Ladyland" printed in yellow...
Grateful Dead Tea Lautrec Litho, printer 1987 Poster has a black printed background. At the top is a stylized color image of a skull on a bed of red roses. At the bottom is "Grateful Dead / New Year''s Eve 1987 / Oakland Coliseum" in yellow...	untitled (woman at microphone) Jim Marshall, photographer, Pomegranate Publications, publisher Late 20th Early 21st Century Poster has white unprinted edges enclosing a double-exposed photo of a woman signing into a microphone. At the bottom left is "Janis Joplin At The Fillmore Ballroom, 1968" printed in black.
Club Late 20th Early 21st Century Poster has a red printed border with multicolor images of flying birds and flowers. At the center is a beige background with multicolor stylized images. At the top left a pair of hands hold...	Celebrate 25 Years of Life with the Dead Stanley Mouse, artist 1989 Poster has beige printed edges enclosing a red printed background. At the top is "celebrate 25 years of / life with the dead." in white. At the center is a black background with a central image of...
Dweeb Weed Late 20th Early 21st Century Poster has a black printed background with an image of a rolled joint. At the top is "Dweeb / Weed." in white. At the bottom is "Partnership for a Drug-Free America", with the Department of...	untitled (John Lennon and the Statue of Liberty) Bob Gruen, photographer, Pomegranate Publications, publisher 1985 Poster has a black and white photo of John Lennon standing in front of the Statue of Liberty with his hands forming a peace sign. To the bottom left of the image is "give peace a chance".
untitled (John Lennon) Bob Gruen, photographer, Pomegranate Publications, publisher Late 20th Early 21st Century Poster has a color photo of John Lennon in blue tinted sunglasses playing a guitar in front of a microphone.	The Beatles Late 20th Early 21st Century Poster has a stylized, multicolor image of the faces of the Beatles set on a line of buildings on a street. In the sky at the top is "The Beatles" in black.
The Grateful Dead 1978 Poster has black printed edges enclosing a color image of an outdoor concert. On the top and bottom edges is "The Grateful Dead / a day in the sun" and "June 4, 1978 U.C. Santa Barbara".	Because You are Afraid to Love... Celestial Arts, printer 1970 Poster has a black and white image of a figure slouched over, leaning againts a wall, with his/her face buried in his/her knees. At the top is "because you are afriad to love... / I am alone."
McGovern Art Auction 1972 Poster has black ink printed on white paper. At the top is "McGovern / Art Auction". At the center is a stylized image of three doves flying over a lake and moutain forest, with an Earth floating...	untitled (concert) Late 20th Early 21st Century Poster has two color photo of bands performing on stage.
The Beatles 1995 Poster has black ink printed on whtie paper. At the top is "Silver Fine Art / In Association With / KRQR / Presents / The Beatles / Historic Images 1962-1967". At the center is a photo of the...	Beatles Rock 'N' Roll Music Late 20th Early 21st Century Poster has a collage fo photos of the Beatles. At the bottom right is "Beatles" in red and "Rock ''N'' Roll / Music" in blue.
Absolut Classic Album Covers Late 20th Early 21st Century Poster has a blue printed background. At the top are four images (arranged two by two) of album covers/vodka labels. At the top left is a man with a lightning bolt painted on his fcae and the text...	untitled (The Beatles) Late 20th Early 21st Century Poster has black and white illustrations of the members of the Beatles, each with his own row of images showing age progression. At the center is "10 / 1964-1974" with an image of the group.