Silver, enamels; measures 42,8 mm in height, 37.6 mm in width; weighs 28.6 g without the screw plate. This piece features narrower, approximately 25 mm in width, depression on the reverse as compared with the first version of the "Triangle". Approximately 1200-1300 of the Variation 2 were awarded (out of the total of slightly over 2000 ever issued of both versions of the Type 1).

Very fine to excellent condition - absolutely extraordinary for the Type "Triangle". The enamel has no repairs, large chips, or significant flaking - a very unusual case for any Soviet award of the mid-1930s vintage. The fragile red enamel on the banner has a couple of very small chips at the upper edge that are barely visible to the naked eye and certainly not detractive. The darker-shade red enamel on the triangle has only a few minuscule surface flakes and contact marks, all of them practically invisible without magnification. The enamel exhibits a beautiful luster throughout.

The silver parts are essentially pristine, having only a few microscopic dings. Even the most exposed elements of the raised artwork are completely free of wear visible to the unaided eye; the fine details of the scaffolding and the hydroelectric dam in particular are perfect and exceptionally crisp. Note that even the tiny "teeth" of the serrated edge of the sickle in its lower portion are still clearly visible. In recessed areas at the bottom, near the lower point of the red enameled triangle, there is a small amount of green-tinged residue of a silver cleaning paste apparently applied many decades ago. It should be easy to remove with an acetone or similar solvent. However, because it is almost unnoticeable to the naked eye, not detractive in the least, and mentioned in the 1998 authentication certificate, we will leave the decision up to the next owner.

The rivets holding the hammer & sickle are intact and tight. The reverse has a single thin scratch, otherwise practically pristine, showing an even toning to silver and nicely defined "Mondvor" logo. The screw post is full length, over 11.5 mm measured from the reverse of the badge, and includes the correct silver screw plate which is of the period and likely original to the award.

The order comes with McDaniel Certificate of Authentication dated 1998. It shows a 95% condition rating which would be outstanding even for a much less rare Soviet decoration. This specimen is among the two or three best examples of the Type 1 Red Banner of Labor we have ever handled and in our opinion, practically impossible to upgrade.

According to the information found in the Russian archives, the order was bestowed by a 22 February 1936 decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR upon Maria Osipova, a milkmaid of the Torosovo State Farm in Leningrad Region. She was one of several state and collective farmers who were awarded with decorations on the same day for achievements in animal husbandry, in her case, "obtaining a milk yield of less than 3,500 liters but no less than 3,250 liters of milk per cow in 1935". Interestingly, according to the decree, the requirements for receiving the Order of the Red Banner of Labor were higher in the European part of the Soviet Union than in its eastern parts (for the latter, anything above 2,700 liters would suffice.)

Due to the drastic change in design in 1936, many of the Type 1 Red Banners of Labor were later exchanged for the later types. The early issues that had been turned in were then almost invariably scrapped. Moreover, a substantial number of the Type 1 "Triangles" were lost during the purges of the upper echelons of Soviet leadership in the late 1930s. Very few of these early decorations survive to our days, especially in a premium condition. Therefore, the piece offered here represents a truly unique opportunity for the serious collector of Soviet awards.

Research Materials: b/w photocopy of the relevant part of the official archival record showing a list of the Red Banner of Labor specimens delivered by the Mint and the names of the recipients; b/w photocopy of the line concerning Maria Osipova in the Supreme Soviet award decree (published in one of the Soviet newspapers); English translation of the relevant parts of the award decree.