Single page, 13" x 9 ½". Issued to a student of a Moscow college, probably specializing in some industrial processes and technologies. Stalin's quote on the red banner on top seems to support this understanding, reading "The working class must create its own technical-industrial intelligentsia".

The certificate awards Comrade Pisarkov with the honorary title of shock worker of academic and social labor and also with some books, as is handwritten under the typographical text. Most likely, textbooks to help him continue his academic advancement.

In very good condition. The paper on the obverse is mostly clean. Mild foxing and soiling is largely concealed in the busy and diverse details of the lithographic artwork. The certificate used to be stored folded in two for quite some time, developing minor separations at both ends of the fold line. A short rip to the right edge and the top right-hand corner are unfortunate but do not reach the artwork. Neither do the two holes on the left side, probably left from filing. All the graphics and text, both typographical and handwritten, are bright and vibrant, not at all faded.

The verso shows moderate soiling and storage wear.

Overall, the certificate is an unusual example of early-Soviet-era award and presentation documents and will make a welcome addition to a collection of early-Soviet memorabilia.

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