Institutions of "Torgsin" in the former Vyatka province: governing bodies, distribution network, results of activities. 1932-1936

Scientific article

doi 10.28995/2073-0101-2025-3-924-943

For citation

Semenova, Anna Yu. (2025). Institutions of "Torgsin" in the former Vyatka province: governing bodies, distribution network, results of activity. 1932-1936, Herald of an Archivist, no. 3, pp. 924-943, doi 10.28995/2073-0101-2025-3-924-943

Semenova, Anna Yu., Vyatka Art Museum named after V. M. and A. M. Vasnetsov, Kirov, Russia

Institutions of "Torgsin" in the former Vyatka province: governing bodies, distribution network, results of activities. 1932-1936

Abstract

Based on documents from two regional state archives: the Central State Archive of the Kirov Region (CGAKO) and the Central Archive of the Nizhny Novgorod Region (TSANO), as well as materials from regional newspapers of the 1930s, new facts are being introduced into scientific circulation characterizing the activities of trade institutions of the All-Union Association for Trade with Foreigners ("Torgsin") operating in the territory the former Vyatka province in 1932-1936 . The article discusses in detail the specifics of the Vyatka department store No. 3 "Torgsin" (since 1934 – Kirovsky), which in 1932-1936. He was a key institution of the regional network "Torgsin". Since 1929, Vyatka province became part of the Nizhny Novgorod (since 1932 – Gorky) region as a result of administrative reform. In the context of the research topic, the activities of the Nizhny Novgorod (since October 1932 – Gorky) regional office "Torgsin", which was subordinate to the department stores "Torgsin" in Vyatka and the former Vyatka province until December 1934, are considered. Department store No. 3 "Torgsin" was opened in 1932 in Vyatka under the conditions of the card system. The principle of operation of the department store was based on the sale of scarce goods to the public, including imported goods, subject to the delivery of gold and currency, and later silver and diamonds, at a rate set by the state. Since July 1933, the management system of the "Torgsin", established in the Gorky Region, has changed, 11 district offices have been established. The article examines the activities of the Vyatka regional branch, which includes 15 trading establishments opened on the territory of the former Vyatka province. Department store No. 3 "Torgsin" became the head office of the Vyatka regional branch. Since January 1935, in connection with the organization of the Kirov Region, instead of the department, the Kirov regional office "Torgsin" was organized, under which 7 trading institutions remained. The activities of Torgsin in the territory of the former Vyatka province were unprofitable for local authorities, as they did not bring income to local budgets, but, on the contrary, required additional expenses. The idea of the government to make money by spreading the institutions of "Torgsin" to the territory of the deep country proved to be unviable. Most of the "Torgsinovs" opened on the territory of the former Vyatka province turned out to be unprofitable and closed shortly after opening. Vyatka (Kirovsky) department store No. 3 "Torgsin" became the most profitable of the department stores. In 1936, after the abolition of the card system, the activities of the All-Union Association "Torgsin" in the Kirov Region were curtailed.

Keywords

"Torgsin", Vyatka, Vyatka department store No. 3, Vyatka district branch of "Torgsin", Gorky office of "Torgsin".

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About authors

Semenova Anna Yu., Candidate of Historical Sciences, Vyatka Art Museum named after V. M. and A.M. Vasnetsov, Department of Storage and Accounting, specialist in accounting of museum objects, Kirov, Russian Federation, 8-912-730-75-57, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The article was received in the editorial office on 17.09.2024, recommended for publication on 20.06.2024.