Messages

4441

The Russian Revolution / Re: WHO WAS THE FIRST LEADER AFTER NICHOLAS II ABDICATED?

« on: April 29, 2004, 02:35:35 AM »

After Michael refused to accept the Crown, following Nicholas' abdication, could it be said that there was a short period, however brief where there was no-one in real power?

The Duma was prorogued by Golitzin by Imperial decree and therefore making Rodzianko's position as the Duma President tenous to say the least. Nicholas' decree to institute Civil Rule by his Prime Minister had no legal status ... because there was no P.M. anymore.

My understanding was that Rodzianko set up a "Temporary Committee" which was deemed to be the de-facto Authority because it was set up quickly, unelected and unopposed.

Prince Lvov was not a member of the last Duma, but was selected to become the first Provisional Government Prime Minister because of his popularity and political experience as the Zemstvo Chairman. Before Lvov became the new leader, someone had to institute and decide for that selection process to take effect.

My point is that there were a few hours where any legal authority lay with this newly formed "Temporary Committee". Rodzianko was briefly calling the shots.

Grand Duke Michael also wrote in his diary on February 27 "... it was the beginning of anarchy".

Any thoughts?

4442

Palaces in Moscow / Re: Mansion of General-Governor, residence of GD Sergei Alexandrovitch

« on: April 29, 2004, 01:43:09 AM »

If you look closely at the Mayor's Office building you can see the first 2 levels are different to the 2 above. The central columns on the lower half are squared while the upper 8? are rounded. The windows in the reconstructed levels are different ... much smaller. The more you look at the facade the more ugly it becomes.

I do not remember seeing any lions. However there is quite a stylish wrought iron double gates/fence to one side which still bares soviet symbols which was constructed in the 1940's. It provides an interesting contrast to the enormous gold-coloured Double-headed Eagle appended at the top of the facade.

The building faces the relatively new statue (1950's) of Yurii Dolgorukii who was the founder of Moscow.

Tverskaya Ulitsa like Nevsky Prospect was widened in the 1930's to permit the increase flow of traffic.

4443

Palaces in St. Petersburg / Re: St Petersburg palaces to be privatised

« on: April 29, 2004, 12:58:29 AM »

I agree with Charles completely. It is is a ridiculous dream to pre-suppose that estates or city buildings should be returned to the Pre- revolutionary owners.

My family owned property in SPb ... but as a descendant I do not feel that I have any legal rights to stake my claim now or in the future.  When I saw the property recently it was all subdivided into appartments. People moved into the city to seek work after the revolution and subsequent world war. Much has been destroyed through neglect or other means.

Let the privatizers re-construct these buildings with their much needed funds. Then we can all enjoy the beautiful buildings inside and not just their facades. We can visit these palaces and museums and indirectly our addmission fees will all help maintain these glorious architectural masterpieces.

Some us have enjoyed wandering through the Winter Palace, Petrodvoretz and others. We admired the architectural qualities, the furniture and the Artworks. Why not allow us the general public to enjoy a few more?

The SPb local government sought and received foreign funds before the Tercentenary Celebrations to enable a massive reconstruction programme to go ahead. This recent news is simply an extension of that concept. It is not new.

With the downfall of communism, SPb is gaining a new identity and pride. It is not just a "Window to the West" it is part of the West ....

4444

Tsarskoe Selo Town / Re: The train station at Tsarskoe Selo

« on: April 29, 2004, 12:02:02 AM »

Depending on the time you travelled along this route, Vitebsky Vokzal was also undergoing re-construction in 2002-3. Perhaps it more pleasant now. At least train travel is safe. The Sunday we went there were a few lads selling SPb maps on board the train, but they were never in your face.  Maybe its a Sunday thing, because locals know that there would be more visitors on that day.

Despite the wooden seating, the most exciting part of the journey by train was not just viewing the scenary ... the plains and vegetation but knowing that the Imperial Family used the very same track. One could almost visualize the Imperial days and imagine how it might have been.

4445

Nicholas II / Re: Nicholas II - Early Crushes - plus Mathilde and Alix

« on: April 28, 2004, 05:33:35 AM »

I saw the house two years ago, just prior to the Tercentenary celebrations. Despite its unusual glass facade which gives the building some street appeal, after a century, it was looking a little tired, grungy and dark. I was surprised how small that famous balcony was where Lenin stood to address the crowd. Perhaps the building was subsequently cleaned up during the massive clean-up which SPb was undergoing.

But the location is pleasant enough. It stands on the corner of Kronverskii Prospect with a nice outlook towards a delightful promenade of tall trees which forms part of the Alexandrovskii Park.

 

4446

Research Russian Roots / Re: Wrangel

« on: April 28, 2004, 02:42:22 AM »

 Baron Peter von Wrangel's memoirs printed in English in 1930 have been trimmed to exclude references deemed not interesting for the English reader of the day, at the specific request of the author before his death. The Russian version is more detailed.

The book essentially deals with his military experiences during the Civil War in the Crimea and his exile to Constantinople. Very little can be gained in this tome about his family.

However his son Alexei has published a more comprehensive biography in 1990 ... in English. It does discuss family issues.

The book is not too difficult to find in quality second hand stores. My copy was published by Leo Cooper in London.

Hope you can find a copy.



 

4447

Imperial Russian Antiques / Re: Romanov china/crystal etc. on Ebay

« on: April 28, 2004, 01:32:57 AM »

I would be very cautious to purchase "authentic" Imperial products in such a medium. Photographs look nice but can deceive. The seller may not necessarily appreciate the authenticity or lack of pedigree of the goods they are selling.

Reproductions are manufactured in many countries today including Russia today. One only has to visit Moscow to find that such "treasures" are readily available. For the novice collector or those who have not researched extensively, such items can appear to be authentic.

Seller feedbacks may be helpful for you to decide about the reputation of the seller.

You might get lucky so good luck!

4448

Books about the Romanovs and Imperial Russia / Re: Imperial Legend, by Troubetskoy (on Alexander I)

« on: April 28, 2004, 12:59:10 AM »

I have just finished reading the Troubetzkoy book. It is easy to read but failed to specifically answer the vital question of whether the body of Alexander 1 was indeed substituted. The author provides a few details from diaries while highlighting to the reader that there were alleged gaps during those vital few hours before and immediately after the Tsar's death. We rely on the authors selective diary excerpts from those persons who were there in Taganrog, which may or may not present the actual state of events.

At p 206, we read that the Grand Duchess Olga asserted that the topic was not discussed, and that much of the documentation for that period was disposed of. It makes me curious to ask why this could be?

As I understand it Nicholas II visited the Tomsk burial site when he toured the Asian region. Was this a journey to pay hommage to a "Holy man" or to pay respect to his relative?

For me the book fails to provide a defintive answer. Perhaps the answer lies with Tolstoy who stated "The legend lives in its beauty and sincerity".

4449

Tsarskoe Selo Town / Re: The train station at Tsarskoe Selo

« on: April 27, 2004, 11:41:02 PM »

Sadly my personal impressions of the Tsarskoe Selo station were disappointing. We caught the City train back to SPb in 2002. The facade was acceptable structurally but needed attention if one looked closely. There were three nice "bas relief" cameos of famous Russian poets - Zhukovski, Karamzin and Derjhavin visible on one side, but these were crumbling at the edges. The tunnel which lead to the platform was dingy and smelly. There were many stalls on the platform itself with locals?selling trinkets which I felt detracted from the place itself trying to catch the few passing visitors on Sunday.

At the end journey at Vitebsky Vokzal (Station) there was a train engine and carriage housed in a glass enclosure which displayed one of the Tsarist trains which conveyed the Imperial Family between the two cities.

4450

Imperial Russian History / Re: The Smolni Institute

« on: April 27, 2004, 11:04:32 PM »

Thanks everyone for all your help ... and so fast! I am impressed.  

Is there any way we can find out the names of any of the pedagogues who taught at this facility during its final years?

Sadly there seems to be very little information concerning this exclusive school. Most of what I have read elsewhere is scattered in broad descriptive terms. Is there any literature in English or Russian written exclusively about this institute?

Again thanks in anticipation.

4451

Imperial Russian History / Education in Smolny -Corps des Pages & Villages

« on: April 27, 2004, 02:35:36 AM »

I understand that the Smolni Institute for Noble girls in SPb had quite an intense academic program before it was shut down. Could someone please tell me which subjects were studied just prior to the 1917 Revolution?

Thanks in anticipation.