The rarest photo of employees of the All-Russian Zemstvo Union

Rare photo showing VZS officials. The most interesting is the character in a civilian jacket with service shoulder straps, which we meet for the first time. Officials of various civilian departments, as well as public organizations serving the needs of the army and working for the defense of the state, in 1914-1916. was officially granted the right to wear protective uniforms that differed from the army ones by insignia. In practice, the employees of the Zemsoyuz had a weakness for all kinds of embellishments of the form, which is why they were ironically called "zemgusars" in everyday life. A distinctive feature of the institutions of the All-Russian Zemsky Union are intertwined "VZS" on shoulder straps. Photos with such insignia are quite rare, especially in good condition. All-Russian Zemsky Union is a public organization founded in August 1914. Excellent collectible condition. Cabinet-portrait. Guaranteed original.

The All-Russian Zemstvo Union was founded in Moscow on July 30, 1914 at the congress of authorized provincial zemstvos. The union was headed by the chief commissioner, close to the cadets, Prince G. Ye. Lvov. In parallel, in August 1914, the All-Russian Union of Cities was formed. No charter, statute or rules for the operation of the union was adopted and did not exist, so the union acted quite arbitrarily. At first, the unions were mainly engaged in helping the sick and wounded: equipping hospitals, sanitary trains, food points, procurement of medicines, linen, training of medical personnel. In the future, they also began to fulfill orders from the chief commissariat for clothing and footwear for the army, and organized assistance to refugees. The finances of the Zemstvo Union consisted mainly of government subsidies, as well as contributions from local union organizations and donations. Working for public money, the union was not bound by any states, rules or formalities within which government organizations operated. Since 1915, the zemstvo and city unions have participated in the mobilization of the handicraft industry to supply the army with weapons and equipment, creating for this purpose on July 10, 1915 a joint committee - Zemgor. Since 1915 the Zemsky Union took part in political activities, supporting the demand of the Duma opposition to create a "ministry of public trust." Taking advantage of the opportunity to work at the front, the leaders of the Zemsky Union carried on agitation in the army, criticizing the government as if it was doing nothing for the front, and widely advertising their own activities, while keeping silent about the fact that the union worked on funds provided by the government. Union leaders played a role in the preparation and conduct of the February events of 1917.