In heavy two-layer scarlet silk with gold fringe on three sides. Measures approx. 56" x 52" excluding the fringe but including the 3"-wide flagpole sleeve. The text is stenciled in bright gold color. The graphics are very colorful, vivid, and uncommonly reflective, suggesting that perhaps they were coated in a layer of clear lacquer for protection.

Note that the USSR State Emblem is the third version, which was in use from 1946 to 1956 and featured sixteen scrolls for the number of Soviet socialist republics comprising the Soviet Union at that time.

The verbiage, in Ukrainian, reads "Transferrable Red Banner of the Zhitomir Regional Council of the workers' and peasants' deputies, and the Regional Committee of the KP(b) of Ukraine. To the winner of socialist competition among the town and village councils of the region."

The other side of the banner has only the communist slogan of world domination "Proletarians of all countries, unite!" hovering over the USSR state emblem.

In very good to excellent condition. The paint is slightly cracked on the graphics making the underlying red silk to show through and giving the portraits a bit of a "vampirical" undertone. Occasional small dark stains are hardly noticeable and are mostly lost in the large size and silky sheen of the fabric. A couple of white stains of a chalky substance do stand our a little but can probably be brushed out with due patience, if desired. There is also a little wear to the ends of the flagpole sleeve - frankly, to be expected. However, there are no tears to the fabric, the fringe is intact and bright. The wording has retained all of its golden luster.

Note that the color of the silk on the side with the state emblem is deeper red than the other side adding a sense of individuality and authenticity of the banner.

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