[Ancient and Medieval Architectural Monuments of the Azerbaijan SSR]

This striking celebration of Azerbaijan architecture and history was published in Moscow in 1980 by the Soviet Directorate of Geodesy and Cartography. At the time, fractures in the mighty Soviet Union were beginning to appear due to nascent nationalist movements, so the work may be an effort to represent how the Azerbaijan SSR is an important constituent component of the greater U.S.S.R. Scattered vignettes and accompanying labels identify over 100 of the nation’s distinctive cultural sites, including mosques, tombs, palaces, bridges, and bathhouses. Accompanying illustrations showcase some of the highlights, many of which are in the capital of Baku. The somewhat irregular borders of the Soviet Republic are highlighted in bright red, including the interesting enclave of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Further illustrations and (Soviet-friendly) descriptive text on the verso, titled ‘Azerbaijan SSR – A Land of Ancient Culture.’ The map was drawn by artist E.V. Avalov and edited by E. Loginova and L. Myshonkova. Issued per Enterprise No. 16 of the Main Directorate of Cultural Heritage, based on the Azerbaijan Voluntary Society for the Protection of Historical and Cultural Monuments. A truly Soviet production – one of 150,000 originally printed, per the detailed publication information on the back cover.