Huge photo of students of educational institutions of Mariinsky Department

The original photo is huge (490*620 mm substrate size) in good condition. To determine the identity of students to one of the schools of Mariinsky Department can be in the form of the inspector, sitting third from left in the second row. On the lapels of his uniform coat clearly visible two embroidered stars, indicating the rank of state Councilor, and between them is monogram in the form of intertwined letters "M". Tabs – black velvet with turquoise edging, buttons on the coat – silver coinage in the form of a Pelican feeding Chicks. Apparently, depict the female pupils of one of schools of Mariinsky Department. These schools were public educational institutions, more democratic than the grammar schools, and lower tuition. They gave pupils total finished elementary education (no foreign languages). In school the girls were taken, without distinction of classes and faiths, aged 9 to 11 years; tuition was 30 RUB. per year – twice less than in high school. The course lasted four years. It is also possible that the photo of the pupils of a school or any other educational institution in the Mariinsky agencies, which in Petersburg was quite a lot. Apart from pupils, other characters photo also recognizable: the warden (in the centre, with a watch-brooch), a classy lady, a priest with a pectoral cross and a sign of the candidate of Divinity (for those who have been ordained) and the teachers in civilian clothes. Interesting officer in the form of the Alexander cadet corps in the background. This is probably the teacher of arithmetic; in this science, he had to be very knowledgeable, since previously he served in the artillery (on the left side of the chest – a sign in memory of the 50th anniversary of stay of the Grand Duke Mikhail Nikolaevich to the position of the General Feldzeugmeister issued to all officers and ranks of artillery). The presence of this officer indicates that the picture was taken in St. Petersburg. A similar group photo of the graduates although he was common, however, to have survived in trace amounts and represent a great rarity. The guarantee of authenticity.