The Collector’s Encyclopaedia · Signatories · Soviet leadership
Nikolai Bulganin (1895–1975): Signature, Documents and Historical Profile
| Born | 11 June 1895 (30 May Old Style), Nizhny Novgorod |
|---|---|
| Died | 24 February 1975, Moscow |
| Key offices | Chairman of the Moscow Soviet (1931); State Defence Committee (from 1944); Marshal of the Soviet Union (1947); Premier (8 February 1955 – 27 March 1958) |
| Documents bearing his name | Government and defence documents, correspondence, signed photographs |
| In the collection | No pieces currently available |
Nikolai Bulganin rose through Moscow politics and wartime administration to become Soviet Premier alongside Khrushchev. His involvement in the 1957 attempt to remove Khrushchev ended his career.
Who Was Nikolai Bulganin?
Bulganin was born in Nizhny Novgorod in 1895. In 1931 he became chairman of the Moscow Soviet, and from 1944 he served on the State Defence Committee. In 1947 he became Minister of the Armed Forces and a Marshal of the Soviet Union. After Stalin’s death he became Minister of Defence, and on 8 February 1955 he replaced Georgy Malenkov as Premier, until 27 March 1958.
What Documents Bear Bulganin’s Signature?
His signature appears on government and defence documents, correspondence and signed photographs, including from his visits abroad with Khrushchev.
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.
Later Life
In June 1957 he joined the failed attempt to oust Khrushchev; he was later stripped of his marshal’s rank. He died in Moscow on 24 February 1975.
Collector’s Note
Bulganin and Khrushchev travelled together in the mid-1950s, and items from those visits appear in Western collections. Their provenance is often well documented.
Related Entries and Pieces
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Frequently Asked Questions
When was Bulganin Premier?
From 8 February 1955 to 27 March 1958.
Was Bulganin a marshal?
Yes, from 1947, until he was stripped of the rank.
What happened in 1957?
He joined the failed attempt to remove Khrushchev.
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, Nikolay Aleksandrovich Bulganin.