In the XIXth and early XXth century ironic and humorous posters were used to announce some entertainment (circus, fair, film) or call to subscribe to humorous magazines.

At cinematography dawn comedies were most popular, and the posters advertising them were also humorous. The works by brothers Steinberg were genuine pieces of art recognized all over the world.

Soviet theatrical poster reached its heights as a kind of art in the 1930s, and the artists Kuriniksi, N. Akimov, and N. Radlov did their best creating posters. N. Akimov created 700 theatrical posters for the performances of Leningrad Comedy Theatre; the world of his posters was wonderful, full of paradoxical metaphors, grotesque, and humour. The artist was sure that satire could improve people's nature, their customs and morals; he dreamed of publishing "Encyclopedia of Soviet Satire".

Although caricature posters were not approved by some authorities, the artists nevertheless created them to advertise comedies, - films and performances ("Dead Souls" by Gogol, "Mutter Courage" by B. Brecht, and some others). In the 1960s the artists got more freedom in their work, but professional caricaturists did not work much with posters. The posters with some symbols and implication appeared to be most interesting and successful. Some exhibitions of posters were held, but there were no new ideas; in 1960-1980s some innovators began to work with posters and they brought some absolutely new and original ideas, e.g. posters drawn by the artists of Baltic republics ( the exhibition of sport humorous pictures in 1980).