The Soviet era turned out a profusion of visual tributes to Vladimir Lenin in a project that came to be known as the Leniniana. During his lifetime, Lenin explicitly prohibited his portrayal on postage stamps. The first stamp with Lenin’s likeness appeared on the day of his funeral in January 1924. The tomb where his embalmed body is displayed became an oft-repeated theme on postal miniatures, first depicting Lenin’s original wooden mausoleum, and later the imposing granite structure that still stands in Red Square today. The Leniniana stamps present a kaleidoscope of Lenin’s life. On May 1, 1920, Vladimir Lenin participated in the first all-Russian community cleanup day, called “subbotnik,” removing building rubble in the Moscow Kremlin. This event was featured on a painting by Vladimir Krikhatsky, Lenin at the First Subbotnik, and reproduced on a stamp in 1957.

Lenin at Various Ages Set. 1st Decade without Lenin. 1934, Nov. 23. USSR. Scott#540-43. Private American Collection.

23rd Anniversary of Lenin’s Death (1947)

30th Anniversary of Lenin’s Death (1954)

30th Anniversary of Lenin’s Death (1954)

1st Anniversary of Lenin’s Death (1925)

29th Anniversary of Lenin’s Death (1953)

Death of Lenin (1924)

Death of Lenin (1924)

87th Anniversary of Lenin’s Birth (1957)