Lot 72
Stalin, Joseph (1879-1953) Georgian-born Soviet military and political leader. With the forced exile of Trotsky, he became the successor of Lenin and was General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union's Central Committee from 1922 and Premier of the USSR from 1941 until his death in 1953. One of the most ruthless dictators of all time, his rule was marked by terrror, forced agricultural collectivization that displaced millions, and bloody purges that stripped the military of desperately-needed leadership in World War II. With the increasing paranoia of his later years, the dictator was apparently planning yet another purge when he died.
Ornate Document Signed ("J. Stalin") in Russian, 6 pp, 13¾ x 9¾ in, Moscow, 1942. Awarding the Stalin Prize, Second Class, to Alexei P. Shehurdin for his achievements in agricultural research. Gold hammer and sickle emblem on cover; red and gold lettering; and embossed seal of the Soviet Union on second page above title. The award presentation is on the fourth page and is boldly signed in purple ink to the right of the purple, stamped seal. Slight smudge to last letter of signature; lower blank right corner of last page is clipped; otherwise, fine.
Estimated Value $4,000 - 6,000.
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| Realized $4,800 |
