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How the last of the Romanovs became a popular deck of cards (PHOTOS) Archive image/CGACPPD Russian Style playing cards were the most widely used deck of cards in Soviet times. And yet, few people knew that these cards actually depicted members of the Russian imperial family in the splendid costumes they wore to a masquerade ball.
The masquerade ball, which took place in the Winter Palace in 1903, brought together the whole of the country s political elite and was one of the most glamorous and extraordinary parties of its time. All guests were required to wear 17th century historical costumes. Their outfits were indeed spectacular, made from the most expensive fabrics and decorated with family jewels.
Joseph Stalin (Image: GETTY)
The KGB files, unearthed by The Siberian Times, relate to the depositing of gold as the Bolsheviks attacked White forces in 1919.
They provide astonishing insight into desperate Soviet attempts to retrieve the gold in the Thirties and Forties, as KGB officers reported back to Moscow.
Officers focused their attention primarily on former White Army troops and letters repeatedly refer to accounts of anti-Bolsheviks trying to hide stashes of gold to keep it away from Lenin’s men.
Of three collections left in Tobolsk, only one was located by Stalin s agents in 1933.
This had been handed to nuns for safekeeping. One of whom, Nun Marfa Uzhentseva, told inquisitors: “Before the last Romanovs were taken away, the Tsar s valet Terenty Chemodurov came to me in the nunnery and passed me a big package.