An extremely large bifold document measuring approx. 30 cm x 40 cm (11¾" x 15¾ ") when closed, printed on heavy stock premium quality paper. The front is lavishly decorated with artwork in red and gold featuring banners, tanks, guns and aircraft. The inscription reads "XXV Anniversary of the Workers and Peasants Red Army and Navy. XX Anniversary of Cultural Sponsorship of Workers of Arts over the Red Army and Navy." Shows a 1943 date at the bottom.

The artwork on the citation pages includes, among other things, an easel, paintbrushes, violin, tambourines (clearly a requisite nod to the "people's" folk arts), conductors baton, and a pen with a notebook entitled "Notes from the Front". The ornamental border is surrounded with red banners and interwoven with gold ribbons bearing inscriptions "Arts of the USSR. Paintings. Music. Theater". The writing at the top is "For Excellent Work". The citation states that Asryan was awarded with the honorary certificate by the Committee for the Affairs of the Arts at the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR and Central Committee of the Trade Union of the Workers of Arts for "excellent work on cultural sponsorship of the units of the Red Army, Navy and NKVD Troops during the period of the Great Patriotic War". The document has a facsimile signature of M.B. Khrapchenko, the Chairman of the Arts Committee of the Sovnarkom (Council of People's Commissars) and is hand- signed by the Chairman of the Trade Union Committee A.V. Pokrovskiy and Executive Secretary of the Military Sponsorship Committee Yu.L. Lyubitskiy.

Good to very good condition. The document has been folded in two and has a single horizontal crease with approximately 2" tears at the outside margins. The artwork however is largely unaffected, and there is very little overall wear. The colors remain vibrant and bright. There are a few fingerprints, tiny spots and very faint stains, mostly on the front cover and not greatly affecting the overall impression. This document will display beautifully, especially considering its unusually massive size. Truly a stunning piece!

Please note, peny in our photos is for size reference.