Russian Communist leader who with Lenin organized Bolshevik seizure of power in the October Revolution of 1917. After Lenin’s death, Stalin, having defeated Trotsky for control of the Communist party, banished him from Russia in 1929. Trotsky found asylum in Mexico, where he was killed by a pickaxe-armed assassin in 1940, probably at Stalin’s instigation. DS, in Russian, signed “L. Trotsky,” one page, 6.75 x 8.5, Order of the Revolutionary Military Council of the Republic letterhead, December 15, 1919. Two article military document, in part, “Member of the Revolutionary Military Council of the 6th Army comrade Bitker is hereby appointed the Oktug Military Commissar of the Petrograd Military Okrug.” Boldly signed in blue pencil by Trotsky and countersigned by Ch. Rakovsky. In fine condition, with expected folds, several other notations and signatures and some trivial spotting. COA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
