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ORIGINAL IMPERIAL RUSSIAN PORTRAIT — MIKHAIL “MISHA” KONSHIN — FIRST KYIV MEN\'S GYMNASIUM
Original antique card-mounted portrait photograph of MIKHAIL (“MISHA”) KONSHIN, associated with the FIRST KYIV MEN\'S GYMNASIUM (FIRST KIEV GYMNASIUM) in Kyiv, Russian Empire, dating approximately to the EARLY 20TH CENTURY / c. 1910s.
The young man is shown in a distinctive DOUBLE-BREASTED STUDENT / GRADUATE UNIFORM with Imperial Russian double-headed eagle buttons.
Of particular interest is the prominent OVAL BADGE / TOKEN worn on his chest.
This same distinctive type of badge appears on other portraits from the associated group of students, including photographs connected with SVIATOSLAV SHRAMCHENKO (1893–1958), who studied at the First Kyiv Men\'s Gymnasium and later became a prominent Ukrainian naval officer and historian.
The repeated appearance of the same badge among members of this student group strongly suggests that it represents a GRADUATION / COMMEMORATIVE BADGE OR TOKEN ASSOCIATED WITH THE FIRST KYIV MEN\'S GYMNASIUM.
A small suspended item / fitting on a short chain is also visible near the upper buttons of the uniform.
IDENTIFIED — MIKHAIL “MISHA” KONSHIN
The reverse retains an original handwritten period dedication identifying the sitter as MISHA KONSHIN.
The inscription includes the particularly evocative phrase:
“Не забывай FORGET YOUR COMRADES!” / “DON\'T FORGET YOUR CLASSMATES!”
The inscription provides valuable personal context and strongly reflects the photograph\'s character as a keepsake exchanged between fellow students / classmates.
FIRST KYIV MEN\'S GYMNASIUM
The First Kyiv Men\'s Gymnasium was one of the most prestigious secondary educational institutions in Imperial Kyiv. Among its students was Sviatoslav Shramchenko, later associated with the Ukrainian naval movement and Ukrainian maritime history.
This photograph comes from the same broader circle of Kyiv student portraits and provides an interesting surviving document of IMPERIAL RUSSIAN EDUCATION, STUDENT UNIFORM AND GRADUATE CULTURE in early 20th-century Kyiv.
PHOTOGRAPHER — V. VYSOTSKY, KYIV
The elaborate studio backmark identifies the photographer as:
“В. Высоцкий — Киев”V. Vysotsky — Kyiv
The studio address is given as KHRESHCHATYK No. 28, one of Kyiv\'s principal streets.
The reverse features an attractive ornate photographic studio design together with the original handwritten person: Mikhail “Misha” Konshin
Approximate date: c. 1910s
School: First Kyiv Men\'s Gymnasium
Subject: Student / graduate portrait
Badge: Probable First Kyiv Gymnasium graduation / commemorative badge
Location: Kyiv (Kiev), Russian Empire
Photographer: V. Vysotsky
Studio address: Khreshchatyk 28, Kyiv
Format: Original card-mounted photograph
Original: Yes
Color: Sepia / Black & White
Dimensions: 66 × 117 mm (2.60 × 4.61 in)
Features: Period handwritten dedication / identified sitter / graduate badge
Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the description.
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