Description:

Soviet Union Culture
Moscow, Russia, ca. 1949
Group of 50 Photos Produced by USSR Society for Cultural Relations With Corresponding Booklet, Ex-Forbes
Archive

An impressive group of fifty black and white photographs produced as a photo display by the USSR Society for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries (VOKS), depicting a variety of industrial/factory scenes, images of party members and Congresses, agricultural workers, theatrical productions, film stills, and celebrations - including a Winter Tree celebration with "Father Frost" (Santa Claus). The silver prints measure between 5.5" x 9" and 6.5" x 9" and are numbered at verso to correspond with an included English-captioned booklet circa 1949. Photographs exhibit minor expected wear which may include surface marks, light creases, and small closed tears. Booklet has some loose pages, toning, chipping, and tears. Overall, the collection is in very good condition. Ex-Steve Forbes Collection.

VOKS was an entity created in 1925 by the government of the Soviet Union to promote international cultural contact between writers, composers, musicians, cinematographers, artists, scientists, educators, and athletes of the USSR with those of other countries. Although of Soviet origin, VOKS was in fact an international organization, with parallel national branches around the world, such as the American Society for Cultural Relations with Russia (established 1926) and the Society for Polish-Soviet Friendship (established 1944). VOKS was frequently criticized by Western government officials, public intellectuals, and the press for functioning as a de facto communist propaganda organization. VOKS was restructured and renamed in 1958, replaced by a new friendship organization known as the Union of Soviet Societies for Friendship and Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, which continued to exist until 1992.

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This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 6.5" x 9"
  • Medium: Archive

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