**Large Original 1960s-1970s Cold War Photo of Soviet Army General Sergei Shtemenko**

**Item Overview**

An authentic, rare large-format original silver gelatin vintage photograph from the Cold War era. This historic archive print captures the prominent Soviet Army General **Sergei Matveevich Shtemenko** (Сергей Матвеевич Штеменко) alongside high-ranking Warsaw Pact officers at a field command post during a major joint military exercise.

**Historical Significance & Figure Identification:**

* **General Sergei Shtemenko:** Identified as the central figure gesturing toward tactical maneuvers. Shtemenko was a legendary Soviet military strategist who served as the Chief of the Soviet Armed Forces' General Staff (1948–1952) and later as the Chief of Staff of the Joint Warsaw Pact Forces (1968–1976).

* **Distinct Features:** He is pictured here with his iconic, sharp handlebar mustache and an extensive multi-row ribbon bar displaying his numerous World War II Great Patriotic War campaign and state merit medals.

* **The Scene:** Officers are shown analyzing a field command desk equipped with heavy-duty military command binoculars in their protective hard case. The tactical document spread across the table features mirrored Cyrillic operational text ending in **"...ИНИТЕ ДЕЙСТВИЯ"** (Tactical Actions / Military Operations).

* **Premium Size:** This is a large press or military command archive print measuring approximately **24 cm x 18 cm** (approx. 9.4" x 7.1").

**Item Specifications:**

* **Era:** Late 1960s to early 1970s

* **Country of Allegiance:** USSR (Soviet Union) / Warsaw Pact Combined Staff

* **Photo Type:** Original Vintage Matte Gelatin Silver Print

* **Dimensions:** 24 x 18 cm

* **Reverse Side:** Completely blank with natural vintage paper aging (No stamps or handwriting).

**Condition:**

Good vintage condition for a large-format paper photograph of this age. Displays rich contrast, crisp uniform medal details, and sharp clarity. Shows minor natural paper age toning, very light silvering in the deep blacks, and a soft bend on the upper-right corner edge that remains safely away from the main subjects. Please examine the high-resolution front and back pictures to fully evaluate the condition.

Fast international shipping. Carefully packed flat in an acid-free archival sleeve and sandwiched between multiple layers of thick, heavy-duty rigid cardboard to guarantee complete protection against bending or folding during transit.