A French photo postcard of White Russian and anti-Semite Arthur Cherep-Spiridovich

Marseille: Imp, Moullot, [1904?]. First edition. A French postcard featuring a portrait photograph of the anti-Semitic White Russian, Maj.-Gen. Count Arthur Cherep-Spiridovich (ca. 1866-1926) in military dress, which is aptly described in a 1926 newspaper profile of the Count upon his first visit to the U.S. in 1907:

In 1908 [sic], a man arrived here wearing a magnificent uniform with the glittering epaulets of a general, a sash from shoulder to hip and more stars, crosses, medals and decorations - principally Balkan - than ever seen in the United States before. He had a lean face, a cold eye and the noble air of a man whose word can not be doubted and whose commands are immediately enforced” (“Count Issues Plea to Form Slavic Nation, The Miami News, Mon., June 28, 1926, p. 20).

Following the Bolshevik revolution, Cherep-Spiridovich was one of a number of fanatical White Russians who moved to the U.S. and who became active in disseminating the Protocols of the Elders of Zion and other anti-Semitic and anti-Bolshevik works. But he was most passionate about Slavic unity, and the Slavic societies that he headed in Russia (and which are listed on the postcard) he expanded to the U.S., including the American Slav Union and the Anglo-Latino-Slav League (see, “For World-Union of White Races,” Brooklyn Eagle, Sun., June 19, 1921, p. 64. He also presided over the Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem and founded the Universal Anti-Bolshevist League. ).

From his hotel room on Staten Island, Cherep-Spiridovich convened the first all-Slav conference for October 1926, but his call went unheeded and he committed suicide on Oct. 22, penniless and disappointed. At first his death was ruled accidental, but this was changed to deliberate, although his supporters and fellow conspiracists believed he was murdered by Bolsheviks.

The postcard measures 5 ½” x 3 ½”. French Inscription below Cherep-Spirodovich’s portrait is addressed to the recipient and states that the postcard was acquired at a conference and is being sent with birthday wishes. Recipient’s name and address to verso with stamps. Appears to have been sent in 1904, which explains Cherep-Spirodovich’s colonel rank. Very scarce. Item #13400

Price: $250.00