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Moscow In 1931: 50+ Wonderful Hand-Colored Photos Of Old Moscow Before The Socialist Transformation

At the end of the 1930s in Soviet Moscow, the population was around 4 million. The streets were crowded and well paved, electric trams and buses were plentiful, as you can see in these beautiful hand-colored photographs. These photographs are unique not only because of their fascinating atmosphere or the attentive representation of street life. But also, because perhaps this was the last moment when the old Moscow could be seen still intact and without the erosion of the following decades when the Socialist transformation of Moscow began. Photographer and traveler Branson DeCou, captured these amazing photographs during his trip to Moscow.

#4 The Mosvkoretskaya street and the Vasilevsky spusk from the Moskvoretsky bridge.

The Mosvkoretskaya street and the Vasilevsky spusk from the Moskvoretsky bridge.

#6 Kremlin, the Blagoveschensky (Annunciation) cathedral.

#7 The Great Ivan bell tower.

The Great Ivan bell tower.

#10 Resurrection or Iversky gate (destroyed in 1931).

#11 Sverdlov (Theatre) square.

Sverdlov (Theatre) square.

#14 The TsUM supermarket.

The TsUM supermarket.

#15 TORGSIN, the “foreign currency” shop for foreigners (1931-36).

#17 The Second Moscow Art Theatre (then Central Children’s Theatre).

The Second Moscow Art Theatre (then Central Children’s Theatre).

#20 Agitation poster for the five years plan on the Soviet square.

#21 Soviet square, Lenin Institute.

Soviet square, Lenin Institute.

#24 Strastnaya square (where the giant lion was sleeping).

Strastnaya square (where the giant lion was sleeping).

#25 Tversky square, with the still standing New Triumphal Gate.

#27 The Pyatnitsa street with the Paraskeva Pyatnitsa church (destroyed in 1935).

The Pyatnitsa street with the Paraskeva Pyatnitsa church (destroyed in 1935).

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Moscow In 1931: 50+ Wonderful Hand-Colored Photos Of Old Moscow Before The Socialist Transformation

#34

Moscow In 1931: 50+ Wonderful Hand-Colored Photos Of Old Moscow Before The Socialist Transformation

#37 Fire Protection Propaganda Station.

Fire Protection Propaganda Station.

#40 The Vladimir Gate on Lubyanka square, destroyed in 1934.

#41 House of Culture of the “Kauchuk” factory.

House of Culture of the “Kauchuk” factory.

#44 Moiseevskaya square.

Moiseevskaya square.

#47 Foreigners taking photos at MosTorg.

Foreigners taking photos at MosTorg.

#51 Manifestation along Krasnoprudnaya street.

Manifestation along Krasnoprudnaya street.

#52 Perhaps the interior of the TORGSIN (foreign currency shop).

#53 Queue in front of the shop of Armenian drinks along the Pyatnitsa street.

#54 Birzhevaya square.

Birzhevaya square.

#56 Man selling foreign currency at the wall of Kitaigorod.

#57 “Soyuzpechat”, newspaper seller at the wall of Kitaigorod.

“Soyuzpechat”, newspaper seller at the wall of Kitaigorod.

#61 View from the Sparrow Hills.

View from the Sparrow Hills.

#64 Revolution Square.

Revolution Square.

#67 Revolution Square.

Revolution Square.

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Moscow In 1931: 50+ Wonderful Hand-Colored Photos Of Old Moscow Before The Socialist Transformation

#74 Gorky Park.

Gorky Park.

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Written by Aung Budhh

Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

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