Thu, 23rd Feb 2012

Ludlow News

Cast of Soviet dictator's death mask sold for £3,600 by Church Stretton-based auction house

5:37pm Friday 27th January 2012

A SHROPSHIRE auction house has sold a cast of Stalin's death mask for £3,600.

The unique relic - taken in bronze from the original plaster death mask by an art dealer visiting Moscow in 1990, was sold to an anonymous bidder.

Richard Westwood-Brookes, from Church Stretton-based auction house Mullock's, said it was believed there were only two such relics in the west.

The lot also included casts of Stalin's right hand and his withered left hand.

Mr Westwood-Brookes said that in official portraits the Soviet dictator always hid this physical deformity.

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