Size 14" x 10 ½", 64 pp. excluding the cover. Printed on heavy-stock semi-gloss coated paper. Contains a large number of color and b/w photos as well as textual information.

This is one of the early issues of the magazine when the month and year were not yet printed on the copy. It is clear however, that No. 7 means it's the July issue, and the material it presents points to 1959, the first year of the one and only 7-year plan of economic development, decreed by Nikita Khrushchev.
Khrushchev had a fertile mind unencumbered by much knowledge of science or economy. His volunt

Size 14" x 10 ½", 64 pp. excluding the cover. Printed on heavy-stock semi-gloss coated paper. Contains a large number of color and b/w photos as well as textual information.

This is one of the early issues of the magazine when the month and year were not yet printed on the copy. It is clear however, that No. 7 means it's the July issue, and the material it presents points to 1959, the first year of the one and only 7-year plan of economic development, decreed by Nikita Khrushchev.
Khrushchev had a fertile mind unencumbered by much knowledge of science or economy. His voluntaristic approach to both created its fair share of ecological disasters but he did achieve some major accomplishments, specifically during this 7-year plan. The country doubled its energy production, advanced in high-tech industries and, somewhat unexpectedly, started working on the solution to the biggest problem of all: living quarters for the general population and mass production of household items. Cookie-cutter 5-story apartment buildings started popping up all over the country. The popular term for those was "Khrushchyoby" (Khrushchev's slums) but still, families started moving out of the "communalka" (slang for "communal dwelling") hellholes where a whole family occupied a single room and shared the kitchen and bathroom with 5-6 other families. After 10-15 years of waiting their turn, a family could get their own apartment, ranging from a studio to a 2-bedroom depending on the size of the family and/or the privileged status of the head of the family. Mass production of household appliances and furniture, again after a long time waiting for them in line, started trying to catch up with the demand and became gradually more available. It was crazy, not everyone lived long enough to partake of this paradise but it was something. As opposed to nothing.

The issue deals with many other propaganda items. Don't be surprised to see Khrushchev's photo at the head of the lineup of the winners of the International Lenin Peace Prize. Remember, this is 1959, before him banging on the UN podium stand with his shoe.
The list of the 1959 Lenin Prize winners (awarded internally within the USSR) is also interesting. Most of the winners were awarded the prize for their achievements in advancing the economy of the country, but among them was an actor who was awarded the Lenin Prize for "stage and screen impersonations of Lenin".
Several articles expand on various Soviet exhibits at the Soviet National Exhibition in New York. Voluminous material extolls the value of Soviet trade unions for the quality of life and labor of its members. For lovers of art there is an interesting illustrated article about the "Peredvizhniki", a group of Russian painters of the 19th century. The Soviet Exhibition in New York triggered interesting cultural and sports exchange events. Two of them - ice skating and Track and Field meet - are covered in this issue.

Overall in very good to excellent condition. Barely any shelf wear to the cover. Very minor bumps and creasing towards the top of the front cover. The internal pages are evenly and mildly age toned and free of any detriment. A piece of pp.9-10 has been cut out with scissors. The colors of photos and text are bright and clear. The magazine must have been stored in a damp place and has a whiff of a musty odor to it.

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