Description:

Impressive 1926 Central Committee-approved bust of the Russian revolutionary

Original bronze bust of Lenin, done by well-known sculptor Sergei Merkurov. Bust measures 24.25_ tall, 15.5_ wide, and 12_ deep, weighs approximately 150 pounds, and was cast from metal taken from church bells. This particular statue was made at the Gosizdat factory in Moscow in 1926, a short time after Lenin's death, was and approved by the Central Committee of the USSR. Impressed on the reverse of the bust, in Russian, is "GIZ Factory Moscow 1926, No. 17," indicating it was cast in 1926 at the State Publishing House Factory based on Model 17. In fine condition, with an untouched patina. Accompanied by a translated expert conclusion from Victor Kuznetsoff at the State Historical Museum in Russia, as well as an original description in Russian from the original owner of the bust, a Russian expatriate. Offered together with Nikita Khrushchev, Typed Letter Signed, "N. Khrushchev," as First Secretary of the Communist Party of Ukraine, 1 page, 8" x 11.25", [Kiev], January 18, 1948 in Russian to The Regional Committee of the Communist Party of Ukraine concerning the 24th anniversary of the death of Lenin. Additionally dated in Khrushchev's hand. File holes and minor losses along left margin do not affect text, contemporary ink stamps and notations, light creases, else very good.

Sergei Merkurov (1881-1952), was a renowned sculptor and monumentalist, whose works include the three largest Stalin monuments in the country, as well as the larger statue of Lenin which resided for decades in Red Square. This impressive bust was made from church bells (bronze with silver added) removed during the Bolshevik's anti-religious campaign in 1922, which saw the destruction of thousands of churches and the deaths of tens of thousands of citizens. A very rare relic from the former communist country, where their leaders were idolized in impressive fashion. Oversized.

Khrushchev's letter, which accompanies the bust reads, in full (translated): "During the performance of mass political work in line with the 24th anniversary of the date of death of Vladimir Ilich Lenin, the Central Committee (CC) of the CP(b)U proposes that the resolution of the CC of the VKP(b) dated January 17, 1948, be followed, paragraphs 1, 2, 4, and 5 of which we are sending you."

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. Shipping and handling costs are competitive, we maintain discounted contracts with FedEx. If you have any questions, contact University Archives prior to bidding. After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 5 business days following receipt of full payment for item. We currently ship via FedEx and USPS to P.O. Boxes only. All items are insured. We ship from our offices in Westport, CT and may opt to use a third party shipper for very fragile or oversized items. Items requiring third party shipping will be denoted in the item description. Packages shipped internationally will have full value declared on shipping form. International buyers will be responsible for any customs fees incurred.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Westport, CT to the buyer's door. Please see Terms and Conditions of Sale.

January 28, 2016 10:30 AM EST
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 20% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000