Description:

JOSEF STALIN
(1879 - 1953) Soviet Premier and dictator who reorganized the government and army through bloody purges of his political enemies, allied with the Nazis who then turned on him and invaded the Soviet Union, costing 20 million lives. Historic content draft D.S. initialed at bottom and again at top approving content 'Da J S', 1p. 4to., [n.d. but certainly Moscow, ca. Aug. 8, 1941] in which Stalin literally names himself commander-in- chief of the Red Army and Navy. In full: 'Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, Council of People's Commissars, and Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks) Resolve: 1. To appoint the Chairman of the State Defense Committee and People's Commissar, Comrade Stalin as Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army and Navy. 2. From now on, all orders of the Stavka of the Supreme High Command must be signed: 'Supreme Commander-in-Chief J. Stalin, Chief of the General Staff Shaposhnikov' 3. Individual orders and instructions of the Stavka should be issued in the following form: 'On behalf of the Stavka of the Supreme High Command, Chief of the General Staff Shaposhnikov'. Also baring the rare signature of MIHAIL KALININ (1875-1946), Soviet politician and Russian Old Bolshevik revolutionary. He served as head of state of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic and later of the Soviet Union from 1919 to 1946. From 1926 until his death, he was a member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. In its final form, this document would be dated and signed in full by Stalin. Fine condition, with official seal at bottom. In reaction to the sudden German invasion in June, 1941, the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. appointed Joseph Stalin People's Commissar of Defense on July 19, 1941, Stalin was appointed the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Soviet Armed Forces on August 8, 1941. He held this position until his death in 1953. A most important document!

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, COD (cash on delivery), Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

*SEE ADITTIONAL SHIPPING ABOVE* -Shipments are sent via FedEx and DHL (for most overseas shipments) or FedEx Ground at the auctioneer's option. Due to complications from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we will ship with USPS Priority Mail only if the buyer submits their request to us in writing and accepts responsibility for delayed shipments. Signature is always required, unless other arrangements are made. Handling and shipping charges will be added to the invoice in one entry. Buyers should be aware that large, framed, fragile or odd shaped items can incur substantial shipping and packing charges. International shipments are invoiced by DIMENSIONAL weight, not the item weight. Please contact us for an estimate before bidding NOTE: Large, heavy or bulky items may not be shipped by the auctioneer - arrangements for shipping of these items via a third-party shipper may be arranged through the auction house. Customers who supply their own courier account number will still be charged a handling fee. Please allow 2-3 weeks for shipments after receipt of payment due to the high volume of packages being shipped.

June 26, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

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