In heavy two-layer scarlet silk with gold fringe on three sides. Measures approx. 49" x 43" including the 3"-wide flagpole sleeve but excluding the fringe. All the artwork and text are embroidered. The obverse features the customary for Stalin-era flags dual profile of Stalin and Lenin but, quite uncommonly, Stalin is depicted in his generalissimo uniform, a victorious juxtaposition to Lenin's plain black suit jacket. The lettering begins with the requisite "Proletarians of all countries, unite!" Communist motto of world domination, followed by "To the Winner of Socialist Competition among Komsomol Construction Organizations of the city of Minsk". The reverse side shows the Komsomol membership badge in the center with the lettering above and below reading "Transferrable Red Banner of the Minsk City Committee of LKSM of Belorussia, in honor of the XI Congress of VLKSM".

In very good to excellent condition. Both sides show a few faint barely noticeable stains as well as some that are more visible. We have taken photos of the worst offenders next to a quarter coin to give you an idea of the size and level of wear. Overall, the banner presents very well: the silk is vibrantly red, the embroidery is intact in both text and artwork, the colors are bright and fresh.

XI Congress of VLKSM took place in 1949 when Minsk, which had been more or less razed to the ground during WW2, was in the middle of a massive reconstruction campaign. Needless to say, young energetic enthusiastic members of Komsomol were on the frontlines of this work, and an award banner was a cheap but effective method to motivate them to work harder. Speaking of destruction, there is an opinion among historians that Minsk suffered much more from Soviet bombardment in 1942-44 than from German bombardment in 1941.

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