Vintage French poster for the worker's daily paper Le Petit Sou (The Little Penny). The paper makes its political bent clear: it is a "journal de defense sociale" (newspaper of social defense). The poster illustration is amazingly lyrical, its themes and composition evoking those of Eugene Delacroix's Liberty Leading the People. Here Marianne, France's female symbol of Liberty, leads the workers up in a rebellion against the powers of the state. She directs them to destroy Sacre Coeur, the new Bastille, and raises up broken shackles in her hand to represent the workers' soon-to-be-had liberation. 

"Le 4 Septembre paraitra Le Petit Sou. Journal de defense sociale et d'informations rapides. Paraissant a 3 heures. Directeur: Alfred Edwards. Leaders: J. Allemane, P. Brousse, Jules Guesde, L. de Gramont, P. Lafargue, Laurent Tailhade, Vaillant, Rene Viviani." (On September 4, Le Petit Sou will be published. Newspaper of social defense and rapid information. Appearing at 3 o'clock.)

Artist: Theophile Alexandre Steinlen

Printer: Charle Verneau, Paris

Year: c. 1900

Condition: Good, please note some wrinkling along the top border