Measures 7 ½" x 4 ½", printed on semi-matte cardboard photo paper. The photo captured the moment when Molotov was about to hand over an Order of Lenin to a civilian awardee.

In very good to excellent condition, showing just minuscule corner bumps. Tilting the photo to reflect a bright light reveals a few tiny scuffs to the emulsion, practically invisible when looking at it at a normal viewing angle. The verso has a pencil inscription with the day and month (14 June) but no year.

Molotov was a leading figure in the Soviet government from the 1920s to 1957 when he was dismissed from Presidium (Politburo) of the Central Committee by Nikita Khrushchev. He was the principal Soviet signatory of the Nazi-Soviet non-aggression pact of 1939. The infamous Molotov cocktail [hand-thrown gasoline bomb] was named after him by the Finnish military who used them extensively during the 1939-1940 Winter War which Molotov had sanctioned.

Please note that the Order of Lenin in our photo is for size reference.