ADVERTISEMENT

As the USSR was busy rebuilding after World War II, an American Martin Manhoff landed in Moscow with a suitcase full of the latest photography equipment - and the skills to use it. Martin travelled throughout Russia by rail and was often accompanied by his wife Jan who recorded their memories in writing. 

In 1954, two years after arriving, Martin Manhoff was expelled from the USSR for “spying”. After his expulsion to the US, the images Manhoff made lay hidden in a cupboard for more than 60 years. This year, after Manhoff's death, these crisp, colourful slides of Soviet life were re-discovered by a historian Douglas Smith. 

#1

A Night Shot Of Moscow

A Night Shot Of Moscow

That's the newly-constructed Moscow State University glowing on the horizon.

Douglas Smith Report

Add photo comments
POST
livianegidius avatar
Numerius Negidius
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

after watching all of your beautiful photos do you still thinking of the USSR like great Satan? Russia is wonderfull place but no westerner could understand ordinarz russian and russian soul - unless he lived with russians for at least 5--6 years..

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#2

Schoolgirls At Kolomenskoye, A Former Royal Estate In The South Of Moscow

Schoolgirls At Kolomenskoye, A Former Royal Estate In The South Of Moscow

Any of these girls alive today would now be in their 70s.

Douglas Smith Report

#3

A Market In Crimea, A Few Years Before The Peninsula Was “Gifted” To Ukraine By Stalin’s Successor

A Market In Crimea, A Few Years Before The Peninsula Was “Gifted” To Ukraine By Stalin’s Successor

Jan wrote that the peninsula "had always been a resort area, and now when the happy workers get their holidays, the top ones get to come here."

Douglas Smith Report

#4

A Street In Central Kiev, Ukraine

A Street In Central Kiev, Ukraine

Douglas Smith Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#5

Flooded Streets In Kiev

Flooded Streets In Kiev

Jan described Ukraine as "a cleaner, more individual part of the Soviet Union... this area has certainly seen and known more than just Soviet rule."

Douglas Smith Report

Add photo comments
POST
puknosh avatar
Kimberly Puchniarz
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love the automobiles!! If that's considered a "flood", can you imagine if any of them were alive today in any of the "flooded" states!!

#6

Babushka Dealings, Snapped Out Of The Window Of A Train

Babushka Dealings, Snapped Out Of The Window Of A Train

Jan said the train trips gave the Manhoffs their only chance to communicate with ordinary Russians "but here natural precaution prohibits anything but superficial talk."

Douglas Smith Report

Add photo comments
POST
dhuven_a avatar
Izolda Bronstein
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You still can buy a lot of things on the platform straight from your train. Usual are apples, smoked fish, vareniks and small pies with filling

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#7

A Rural Town Snapped From A Passing Train

A Rural Town Snapped From A Passing Train

As well as shooting images of city life, Martin, often accompanied by his wife Jan, travelled throughout Russia by rail. This image is one of several showing small town life far from Moscow.

Douglas Smith Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#8

A Parade Under The Walls Of The Kremlin

A Parade Under The Walls Of The Kremlin

When historian Douglas Smith discovered the images, he immediately realised he'd stumbled onto a rare treasure.

Douglas Smith Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#9

Kids Goofing For Martin's Camera In Novospassky Monastery

Kids Goofing For Martin's Camera In Novospassky Monastery

Douglas Smith Report

#10

Ostankino Palace, In The North Of Moscow

Ostankino Palace, In The North Of Moscow

In Soviet days, many estates and palaces of the aristocracy were opened up as public parks.

Douglas Smith Report

Add photo comments
POST
#11

Street Scene On Pushkin Square, Looking Down Tverskaya Street Towards The Towers Of The Kremlin

Street Scene On Pushkin Square, Looking Down Tverskaya Street Towards The Towers Of The Kremlin

Douglas Smith Report

#12

A Queue Outside A Food Store In Moscow

A Queue Outside A Food Store In Moscow

Douglas Smith Report

#13

A Murky-Looking Pool In An Unknown Location

A Murky-Looking Pool In An Unknown Location

Manhoff shot with 35mm Kodak and Agfa colour slide film. The technology was cutting edge in the US at the time, and would have been virtually unheard of inside the USSR.

Douglas Smith Report

Add photo comments
POST
lunaaglow avatar
Gloria Wesson
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They always put tons of chlorine in those pools... Was the same in East Germany...

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#14

A Rare Color Image Of Stalin's Funeral, In 1953, Snapped From The Window Of The Old US Embassy

A Rare Color Image Of Stalin's Funeral, In 1953, Snapped From The Window Of The Old US Embassy

Manhoff's job in Russia was as an assistant army attache at the embassy.

Douglas Smith Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#15

Novospassky Monastery In Moscow

Novospassky Monastery In Moscow

Under Soviet rule religion was heavily suppressed, and many churches were either destroyed or put to use as humble storage houses.

Douglas Smith Report

Add photo comments
POST
puknosh avatar
Kimberly Puchniarz
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Beautiful architecture that I'm happy to know has been restored to its original beauty and its original meaning...

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#16

Stalin’s Coffin Rolling Towards Red Square

Stalin’s Coffin Rolling Towards Red Square

The pale spot on the coffin is a kind of clear plastic or glass bubble over his face.

Douglas Smith Report

#17

Window Shoppers In Moscow

Window Shoppers In Moscow

Jan's first impressions of the city's shopping scene were scathing: "Nothing quite fits, the people as well as the furnishings. And nothing that is sold seems new, it all looks second-hand."

Douglas Smith Report

#18

Chicks Chilling With Books In Moscow’s Novodevichy Convent

Chicks Chilling With Books In Moscow’s Novodevichy Convent

Douglas Smith Report

#19

The Central Telegraph Building In Moscow

The Central Telegraph Building In Moscow

Douglas Smith Report

#20

A Woman Snapped From The Train

A Woman Snapped From The Train

The only time the Manhoffs were permitted to leave the train during their journeys was during long stops at stations en route, though even then they were required to stay on the platform.

Douglas Smith Report

Add photo comments
POST
puknosh avatar
Kimberly Puchniarz
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It looks like the young lady is carrying a bucket? Maybe water? For survival...

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#21

“Shop No. 20” In Moscow, Advertising Various Fish & Meat

“Shop No. 20” In Moscow, Advertising Various Fish & Meat

In the same letter Jan commented on the result of the 1917 "workers' revolution" which overthrew Russia's monarchy and capitalist system: "probably no picture of the 'revolution' is clearer, the workers have taken over and they do not yet quite how to handle it all, but there's noone else."

Douglas Smith Report

Add photo comments
POST
puknosh avatar
Kimberly Puchniarz
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I really need to read "genuine" history books bc I'm not sure who or what is even factual...

View more commentsArrow down menu
#22

Cruising In Convoy Towards The Trinity Lavra Of St. Sergius, A Couple Hours Out Of Moscow

Cruising In Convoy Towards The Trinity Lavra Of St. Sergius, A Couple Hours Out Of Moscow

Douglas Smith Report

#23

A Card Player Looking Like He’s About To Slap Down A Flush In Kuskovo

A Card Player Looking Like He’s About To Slap Down A Flush In Kuskovo

The country estate in Moscow was owned by the Sheremetev family before the Russian revolution.

Douglas Smith Report

#24

Martin And Jan Manhoff

Martin And Jan Manhoff

As Martin photographed, Jan made notes on their experiences.

Douglas Smith Report

Add photo comments
POST
#25

Farm Workers Watching The Manhoffs' Train Rolling Past

Farm Workers Watching The Manhoffs' Train Rolling Past

The New York Times reported on one of the Manhoffs’ trips deep into Siberia, claiming “Americans have never traveled to this remote area before.”

Douglas Smith Report

Add photo comments
POST
andydixi avatar
Andy Dixi
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And 90% Russians have never traveled to this remote area during their life. Neither do I and my friends ))

View more commentsArrow down menu
#26

A Truck Rumbles Past The US Embassy In Moscow

A Truck Rumbles Past The US Embassy In Moscow

Two of the men sport freshly-shaved heads.

Douglas Smith Report

Add photo comments
POST
themoon34 avatar
Tom Simmons
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this is an excellent photograph! The camera moves at the same speed as the truck

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#27

In One Small Town The Americans Caused A Commotion By Walking Into A Restaurant

In One Small Town The Americans Caused A Commotion By Walking Into A Restaurant

After a local man welcomed the unexpected foreigners by firing up an accordian, Jan writes "he played well and to everyone's pleasure. One Russian bought him a bottle of beer, and we donated a bottle. Then, it happened. The manager... walked in and told everyone that the cafe was closed. Everyone with a great deal of chatter wondered why and many "pochomoos" [Russian for 'why'] were voiced. Someone asked the accordian player why and he said 'I don't know, it's the first time in my life.' Then he very amusingly said 'well, I'll play you a march', and to the tune of Russian marches we vacated."

Douglas Smith Report

Add photo comments
POST
leannemariedantoni avatar
Agnes Jekyll
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like the Alberta Badlands. No wonder so many Russians emigrated there before the war.

#28

A Woman Poses For Martin On Petrovka Street In Moscow

A Woman Poses For Martin On Petrovka Street In Moscow

Despite brief encounters like this, the Manhoffs were unable to scratch beneath the surface of Soviet life at a time when mingling with foreigners could land Russians in real trouble. Jan wrote “we’ve never been inside a Russian home, nor can ever expect to be.”

Douglas Smith Report

Add photo comments
POST
kubankova-iva avatar
Ronja Rövardotter
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lovely smile. She looks like a nice person. I think she would invite them for a cup of tea if she could. But she probably couldn't... it is wrong and sad. I am really glad that nowadays in my country I can offer tea to anybody... fearless... but people forget easily. And some things shouldn't be forgotten. We can learn from them.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#29

A Public Bus And Several Cars Trapped In A Flood Caused By Summer Rains In Kiev, Ukraine

A Public Bus And Several Cars Trapped In A Flood Caused By Summer Rains In Kiev, Ukraine

Douglas Smith Report

Add photo comments
POST
#30

A Parade In Central Moscow A Few Steps From The Old US Embassy

A Parade In Central Moscow A Few Steps From The Old US Embassy

The sign on left welcomes “Brothers from the Chinese Republic”.

Douglas Smith Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#31

A Policeman, Probably Snapped From The Top Of The US Embassy In Moscow

A Policeman, Probably Snapped From The Top Of The US Embassy In Moscow

Jan wrote that the police in Moscow were "so stationed as to never be out of sight of the next one." Under Stalin's rule the USSR was a police state in which millions of people accused of opposition to the totalitarian regime were either killed, or sent to labour camps in Siberia.

Douglas Smith Report

#32

A Child Walks Through A Run-Down Street In Moscow Near The Moskva River

A Child Walks Through A Run-Down Street In Moscow Near The Moskva River

Douglas Smith Report

#33

Rural Homesteads Snapped From The Train

Rural Homesteads Snapped From The Train

The final train adventure Martin Manhoff took ended the couple's time in the USSR. On a summer trip through Siberia in 1953 he and three colleagues were accused of illegally photographing airfields and oil dumps. The four were branded as spies and hastily evicted from the country.

Douglas Smith Report

Add photo comments
POST
#34

A Cinema In Central Moscow Advertising The 1953 Film “Lights On The River”

A Cinema In Central Moscow Advertising The 1953 Film “Lights On The River”

The whole film is on youtube - look up: "Огни на реке."

Douglas Smith Report

Add photo comments
POST
#35

Russian Officials Are Photographed From A Window Above The Street In Murmansk

Russian Officials Are Photographed From A Window Above The Street In Murmansk

Douglas Smith Report

Add photo comments
POST
puknosh avatar
Kimberly Puchniarz
Community Member
6 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Now these buildings look like c**p and unwelcoming so I imagine the citizens lived in them!!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#36

A View From The Roof Of The 'New' US Embassy

A View From The Roof Of The 'New' US Embassy

The Hotel Ukraine skyscraper is under construction across the river.

Douglas Smith Report

Add photo comments
POST
#37

Flowers, Dancing, And North Korean Flags At A Parade In Moscow

Flowers, Dancing, And North Korean Flags At A Parade In Moscow

Smith told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty "Manhoff captured this everyday quality... It gives a human quality that is missing from any other depiction [of life in the USSR in the 1950s.]"

Douglas Smith Report

Add photo comments
POST
marechalsasilva_007 avatar
Sa Silva
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also a flag of Socialist Mongolia, and probably Nasserist Egypt.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#38

A Horse Clops Past The Kremlin, As Seen From The Entrance To The Old US Embassy

A Horse Clops Past The Kremlin, As Seen From The Entrance To The Old US Embassy

Douglas Smith Report

Add photo comments
POST
#39

A Woman Collecting Water In A Bucket In The Russian Countryside And Heading Back To A Humble Log Cabin

A Woman Collecting Water In A Bucket In The Russian Countryside And Heading Back To A Humble Log Cabin

Douglas Smith Report