Single sheet 8 ¼" x 17 ½", front only. Printed in Bakhmut, aka Artemovsk, renamed back into Bakhmut after Ukraine's post-Soviet independence and the de-Russification campaign. The city was practically completely destroyed by Russian forces in the current war of Russia against Ukraine.

The proclamation comes from ОБ'ЕДИНЕННАЯ РСДРП (United RSDRP, the Russian Socialist-Democratic Workers' Party, aka Mensheviks, temporarily joined by BUND, the General Jewish Labor Union, and a few smaller

Single sheet 8 ¼" x 17 ½", front only. Printed in Bakhmut, aka Artemovsk, renamed back into Bakhmut after Ukraine's post-Soviet independence and the de-Russification campaign. The city was practically completely destroyed by Russian forces in the current war of Russia against Ukraine.

The proclamation comes from ОБ'ЕДИНЕННАЯ РСДРП (United RSDRP, the Russian Socialist-Democratic Workers' Party, aka Mensheviks, temporarily joined by BUND, the General Jewish Labor Union, and a few smaller factions, hence calling themselves "United"). It is addressed "to all workers, to all citizens." The proclamation is in support of the Provisional Government and continuation of Russia's participation in WW1, against General Kornilov.

In very good condition. The paper is mildly and evenly age-toned; the top and bottom left corners are missing, not reaching the text; there are several short rips to the right and left edges. All this wear can be repaired with tape on the verso of this one-sided document. The printed text is perfectly legible. The round ink stamp at the upper right-hand corner is somewhat faint but legible enough to determine that it is the stamp of the Menshevik Russian Socialist-Democratic Workers' Party.

Seeing the political chaos reigning in Russia under the rule of the Provisional Government after the February Revolution, Kornilov saw the solution in establishing a military dictatorship and assuming absolute power in the country. Despite considerable military forces that Kornilov considered loyal to him and his cause, he overestimated their loyalty and underestimated the opposition. The 3rd Cavalry Corps got mired on its way to Petrograd by the agitation of the revolutionary councils, Soviets. Even the Turkestan Cavalry Division (aka the Wild Division) on which Kornilov leaned the most, refused to follow his orders. Railroad workers, fearful of the prospect of their "militarization", sabotaged Kornilov's forces by moving whole echelons to the wrong destinations and leaving them there without a locomotive, food for the troops, and forage for horses.

Kornilov's mutiny was short-lived. His attempt to restore order in Russia failed. He fought in the Russian Civil War as a military leader of the Whites and was killed during assault on the city of Ekaterinodar, nowadays Krasnodar, in 1918.

It is hard to overestimate the rarity of this document. RSDRP was the main competition of the Bolsheviks in Russia's political arena. Originally part of the RSDRP, the Bolsheviks split away in May 1917, took the hardline position of rejecting the Provisional Government, Mensheviks, and all other forces striving to reach democracy through political reforms. With support from Anarchists and the left wing of Socialist Revolutionaries, they took power in Russia by force. And held it for seventy-four years. All competition was forcefully suppressed. It is easier to find a document from Imperial Russia than an original RSDRP proclamation, with the party's seal, and in very good condition.

Please note that the pen in our photo is for size reference.
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