The Collector’s Encyclopaedia · Signatories · Security services
Felix Dzerzhinsky (1877–1926): Signature, Documents and Historical Profile
| Born | 11 September 1877 (30 August Old Style), Dzerzhinovo near Minsk |
|---|---|
| Died | 20 July 1926, Moscow |
| Key offices | Head of the Cheka (from 20 December 1917); Commissar for Internal Affairs (from 1919) |
| Documents bearing his name | Cheka orders and documents, government papers |
| In the collection | No pieces currently available |
Felix Dzerzhinsky founded the Cheka, the first Soviet secret police, in December 1917 and led it through the Red Terror. His name became a symbol of the Soviet security services.
Who Was Felix Dzerzhinsky?
Dzerzhinsky was born near Minsk in 1877. On 20 December 1917 he was named head of the All-Russian Extraordinary Commission (Cheka), and after 1919 he was also Commissar for Internal Affairs. He died in Moscow on 20 July 1926.
What Documents Bear Dzerzhinsky’s Signature?
His signature appears on Cheka orders and documents and on government papers of the early Soviet years.
Soviet documents bring their own checks. Signatures are usually in Cyrillic, and official papers combine typed text, printed forms, ink signatures and round seals. A collector should read the Russian text, compare the office named with the date, and remember that Soviet state papers were often reproduced, so many documents carry a printed or stamped signature rather than ink.
What Should Collectors Watch For?
- Read the Cyrillic text and check the office against the date.
- Distinguish ink signatures from printed or stamped ones.
- Soviet-era reproductions and later commemorative items are common.
- Ask for documented provenance on any important piece.
Responsibility and Fate
The Cheka under Dzerzhinsky carried out mass arrests and executions during the Civil War. Documents of the Cheka are records of that terror.
Collector’s Note
Early Soviet documents are often on poor paper with typed text and hand stamps. Their materials are part of the evidence for authenticity, and I examine them closely.
Related Entries and Pieces
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Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Cheka?
The first Soviet secret police, founded in December 1917 and led by Dzerzhinsky.
When did Dzerzhinsky die?
On 20 July 1926 in Moscow.
Was Dzerzhinsky Polish?
He was born near Minsk into a Polish noble family.
Historical Responsibility Notice: this entry documents historical figures and artefacts of the Soviet period for collecting, preservation, education and research. It does not endorse or glorify any ideology, and it is written in memory of the victims of political repression and war.
References & Further Reading
- Encyclopaedia Britannica, Feliks Edmundovich Dzerzhinsky.