The advertising poster of the 1st Moscow lottery of the Moscow provincial Union of military veterans

An original and extremely rare large-format poster produced during the Civil War in Russia (probably around 1918). The poster depicts wounded soldiers: on the left, leaning on a crutch with a bandaged arm, on the right, a sitting soldier with a medal and a soldier on crutches. This emphasized the charitable nature of the lottery — the fees were used to support disabled veterans. The lottery was conducted by the Moscow Provincial Union of Military Veterans. Such organizations were created to provide assistance to soldiers who were disabled during the First World War and subsequent conflicts. In the center of the poster is a lottery ticket worth 5 rubles (5th grade). The total number of tickets was 40,000. The poster promises large cash prizes, including:

1 main prize of 100,000 rubles.

1 win of 25,000 rubles.

4 winnings of 20,000 rubles each.

1 win of 15,000 rubles.

3 winnings of 10,000 rubles each.

Such lotteries and government loans were a common way to raise funds for the needs of the army and social assistance in the conditions of economic instability at that time. The poster size is 705*1040 mm. Minor tears at the edges. Guarantee of authenticity.

The Moscow Provincial Union of the Military Crippled (sometimes the "union of Crippled soldiers") was a public organization that operated in Moscow and the province in the 1917-1920s to provide assistance to soldiers who were disabled during the First World War. He was engaged in social protection, handicraft training, organization of workshops and employment of disabled people.  The Union dealt with issues of the life of the disabled, received support from the city authorities (for example, in 1917, orders were given to provide the union with all possible assistance). The union had various workshops (tailors, shoemakers) where crippled soldiers could work and earn money. The main activity occurred during the turbulent years of the revolution and the Civil War (1917-1920).  The union's activities were aimed at adapting war invalids to peaceful life and providing them with means of livelihood through work.