Lot 771

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Description:

JOSEPH 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. Very rare A.L.S. in red grease pencil, 1p. 8vo., Sept. 8, 1935, to his only daughter Svetlana Alliluyeva, whom he addresses as "Setanka". Stalin tenderly writes to his precious nine-year-old: "...I got your letter. Thank you for not forgetting about your Daddy. How are your secretaries doing? Please, find some time to write me about them. I'm doing fine, just missing you. I kiss you very much...I. Stalin". Svetlana had a very troubled life: Stalin was very abusive toward her mother in the later part of their marriage. In his memoirs, Khrushchev recalled an occasion when Stalin, during a drunken rage at a party, dragged a crying Alliluyeva onto a dance floor by her hair. The woman was a suicide, and Svetlana later defected to the U.S. and denounced her father's regime. Fine condition.

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June 4, 2010 11:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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