Joseph Stalin Very rare war-date document signed 'J. Stalin", 8pp. folio, Moscow, Apr. 10, 1942 in which Stalin awards the Stalin Prize to men who helped create emergency leather substitutes. This ornate document reads in part: "To The Laureate Of The Stalin Prize By The Decision Of The Council Of People's Commissars Of The Union Of The S.S R, Of 10 April, 1942, The Stalin Prize Second Class Is A Warded to [Pisarenko, Alekseenko, Gavrikov, Rogov, Plotnikov, Khomutov, Marakhovskiy] Rozanov, and three others] co-workers of the Central Scientific Research Institute for the production of leather substitutes...." Other men are also honored for similar contributions in the same effort. This particular document was issued to Semion Sergeevich Rozanov, and is neatly signed by Stalin and Council of People's Commissars Adminstrator of Affairs Y. Chadaev, on the last page. In the early days of the war, Stalin was able to relocate to the east only the most essential arms and munitions plants, with the much of the balance of Soviet industry devastated by the Nazi advance. An attractive bound document with blind-embossed U.S.S.R. seal, a portrait of Stalin, an image of Spassky Tower at the Kremlin, and an official stamp. Contained within an imitation leather (! hardcover binding with gold lettering and metallic profile bust of Stalin and Lenin. With original box.