The Collector’s Encyclopaedia · Signatories · Soviet leadership
Vladimir Lenin (1870–1924): Signature, Documents and Historical Profile
| Born | 22 April 1870 (10 April Old Style), Simbirsk |
|---|---|
| Died | 21 January 1924, Gorki near Moscow |
| Key role | Leader of the Bolshevik Revolution (1917); first head of the Soviet state (1917–1924) |
| Documents bearing his name | Decrees and orders of the Soviet government 1917–1923, correspondence; many printed facsimiles |
| In the collection | No pieces currently available |
Vladimir Lenin led the Bolshevik seizure of power in 1917 and founded the Soviet state. Documents signed by Lenin are among the most sought-after political autographs, and Soviet publishing produced vast numbers of facsimiles.
Who Was Vladimir Lenin?
Lenin was born in Simbirsk in 1870. He led the Bolshevik Revolution in October (November New Style) 1917 and headed the Soviet state until his death in Gorki on 21 January 1924. He also founded the Communist International.
What Documents Bear Lenin’s Signature?
His signature appears on decrees and orders of the Soviet government and on correspondence from 1917 to 1923. Printed facsimiles of his decrees and handwriting are extremely common in Soviet publications.
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.
Legacy
Lenin’s government established the one-party state and the Cheka, the secret police that carried out the “Red Terror”. His death in 1924 opened the struggle for power that Stalin won.
Collector’s Note
Facsimile reproductions of Lenin’s handwriting were printed for decades. A genuine Lenin document needs strong provenance, and I am cautious with any item whose story begins only recently.
Related Entries and Pieces
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Frequently Asked Questions
When did Lenin die?
On 21 January 1924 in Gorki near Moscow.
Are Lenin signatures common?
Genuine ones are rare; printed facsimiles are very common.
What did Lenin found?
The Soviet state and the Communist International.
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, Vladimir Lenin.