Description:

Unusual Third Reich-era press photo, 6 1/2" x 7 1/4" b/w, a view of Soviet People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs and later ambassador to Russia MAXIM LITVINOV and three others, all looking somewhat shabby and disreputable. The image bears typed captions in German and French below, the former reading: "No gang of criminals, but England's allies: the Old Soviet diplomat Litvinov-Finkelstein (Jew), Kretinski, Ugarov and Lunacharsky", while the latter reads: "Apaches? ... No! Soviet and Jewish diplomat Litwinow-Finkelstein, surrounded by Kretinsky, Ugarof and Lunatscharski". Backstamps on the verso identify the German rights holder as "Scherl Bilderdienst" ("photo service") of Berlin, and the French publisher as the conservative paper "Le Figaro". In very good condition. As Commissar for Foreign Affairs, Litvinov promoted a doctrine of collective security with Western powers against German aggression and opposed the Munich Agreement, a move which led to his anti-Semitic nickname "Litvinov-Finkelstein' in Germany. He was dismissed by Stalin and the commissariat purged of Jewish officials in 1939, to be replaced with Vyacheslav Molotov who negotiated a disastrous non-aggression pact with Germany.

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July 30, 2019 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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