The size is 3 ½" x 5 ½", Russian and French text. Manufactured by V. Karnatz Publishing. Postally unused and unmarked. The captions on the obverse state the place and the name of the building. The image of the theater is in amazingly sharp focus. The back is undivided and features the inscription along the left-hand edge saying "this side is only for the address". The header reads "Global Postal Union. Russia. Open Letter." also in Russian and French. Knowing French was a sign of good upbringing and upstanding societal status in Russia of the 19th century. A good portion of the Russian

The size is 3 ½" x 5 ½", Russian and French text. Manufactured by V. Karnatz Publishing. Postally unused and unmarked. The captions on the obverse state the place and the name of the building. The image of the theater is in amazingly sharp focus. The back is undivided and features the inscription along the left-hand edge saying "this side is only for the address". The header reads "Global Postal Union. Russia. Open Letter." also in Russian and French. Knowing French was a sign of good upbringing and upstanding societal status in Russia of the 19th century. A good portion of the Russian middle class and especially nobility were quite fluent in French.

The card is in very good condition showing mild foxing and an unobtrusive crease on the obverse. The verso is in similar condition, with perhaps a bit of soiling added. However, the wear does not contrast with the color tone of the postcard and is not too intrusive to the eye.

The history of the Bolshoi goes back to 1776 when Catherine II granted Prince Urusov a license to organize theatrical performances. As the company continued to exist and evolve, the space they used also changed dramatically over the decades and centuries. From home performances to the Petrovka Theater where, in 1780, it began producing plays and operas, thus establishing what would become the Bolshoi Theater.

Fire destroyed the Petrovka Theater. It was replaced by the New Arbat Imperial Theater which also succumbed to fire during the French invasion of 1812. The first instance of the building the world now recognizes as the Bolshoi was opened in 1825. The modern building of the Bolshoi is, in fact, a single complex of buildings, rehearsal halls and artists' recreation rooms. In 2005 it was closed for renovation and re-opened in 2011. The official cost cited at over $600 million, the true cost is reported to be, possibly, double that. It was funded entirely by the federal government, i.e., by the taxpayers. But at least the Imperial Russian glamor of the Bolshoi had been restored.

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