Russian Souvenirs

Russian Folk Art Playing Cards — Printed by USPCC is now LIVE on Kickstarter!
The original designs of the deck are all inspired by folk designs from Russian heritage and culture. Traditional folk art has always played an intrinsic part of domestic culture across Russia and represents the rooted artistic perceptions, traditions and practices of the citizens.
Follow this link to pledge:

I had passed the old Dickensian shop many times admiring the gray with red trimmed budenovka hat in the dusty front window display. The budenovka was worn by the red revolutionary army. It has a point at top and earflaps. It is unique looking. I went inside and met the old Russian owner and asked him about the hat. He reached over to a pile of dusty old post-​cards and showed me a picture of Stalin wearing one just like in the window. Being Ukrainian, I of course hated Stalin and what he did to us during the Holodomor. However, the hat was worn by young idealists and that appealed to me. He took a stick and reached out into the display case, picked it up, dusted it off and handed it to me. It had definitely been worn, perhaps in the 1920’s or ’30’s. How much? He wanted 100 dollars. He said: «It is a good piece.» I squirmed a bit but what the heck. I wanted that «good piece.» It was historical. It was unique. And so I handed over the 100 dollars. I went home and proudly placed it on my head and looked into the mirror. I took a few photos of myself and then put it atop my bookcase within my view. Then my wife suddenly said: «The red star on the front is polartec.» I went over to the hat and examined it again and sure enough it was polartec. I became somewhat enraged. I got on to the internet and looked up budenovkas for sale. There in front of me was a whole selection of budenovkas, all made in Pakistan and costing $ 9.99. Made in Pakistan!!! The next time I walked past the store I hesitantly looked over at the front window and there was another grey budenovka where mine had sat. There are obvious lessons to be learned here.

Came in here finally, after years of telling myself I’d check it out. I have to say it is an interesting little shop. There are tons and tons of different Soviet Union/​Russian memorabilia, jewelry, dolls, clippings, clothes, etc. It was a little hard to move around since the place is completely packed with stuff everywhere, and the owner seemed a little cold, but it was certainly worth the time for a visit.