1960s, Vintage Greek Litho, Karagiozis Figures, Rekos Editions, Athens, Megas Alexandros

Authentic vintage Greek chromolithograph sheet featuring Karagiozis shadow puppet figures, published by Rekos Publishing House in Athens during the late 1960s.

This colorful and detailed sheet includes traditional cut-out figurines from the beloved Greek shadow theatre, a folk art form rooted in the Karagiozis tradition.

The characters depicted are:

• To Sarai – The palace or seat of authority—usually the residence of the Pasha
• Megas Alexandros (Alexander the Great)- the heroic ideal—called in to restore order and defeat evil when the situation goes beyond everyday comedy
• I Gria Magissa (The Old Witch) – folkloric, supernatural character, drawn from Greek rural traditions and fairy tales.
• O Karderinis – a comic “everyman” figure—often gullible and pretentious—used to highlight Karagiozis’ cleverness and humor. Because Karagiozis theatre was partly improvised and regionally adapted, characters like Karderinis could vary in personality and role, which is why he’s less fixed than more famous figures like Hadjiavatis or Barba-Giorgos.

Karagiozis is a central figure in Greek folklore and shadow theatre, originating from the Ottoman Karagöz tradition. These figures were historically used for storytelling performances and are now highly collectible pieces of cultural heritage.

Condition:
Very good vintage condition (graded Very Good -), unused, with minor signs of age consistent with its era.

Dimensions:
50 cm x 35 cm

This piece is ideal for collectors of folk art, ephemera, theatre history, or anyone interested in Greek cultural artifacts. It also makes a unique display item when framed.