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Nostalgia and intrigue fuel booming trade in Soviet souvenirs Nostalgia and intrigue fuel booming trade in Soviet souvenirs
(about 3 hours later)
Russia’s relations with the west may have reached lows unparalleled since the cold war, but the trend for kitsch Russian and Soviet souvenirs is more popular than ever.Russia’s relations with the west may have reached lows unparalleled since the cold war, but the trend for kitsch Russian and Soviet souvenirs is more popular than ever.
Selling souvenirs on online marketplaces such as eBay and Etsy can yield profits of 300 to 500%, vendors told The Moscow Times.Selling souvenirs on online marketplaces such as eBay and Etsy can yield profits of 300 to 500%, vendors told The Moscow Times.
Items are bought from second-hand stores and antiques markets around the former eastern bloc and sold on, mostly to Americans enchanted with keepsakes of a once-mysterious Soviet culture.Items are bought from second-hand stores and antiques markets around the former eastern bloc and sold on, mostly to Americans enchanted with keepsakes of a once-mysterious Soviet culture.
But business is not without its complications. There is a high customs duty to send items abroad from Russia, and strict regulations on exporting objects considered to be of national heritage.But business is not without its complications. There is a high customs duty to send items abroad from Russia, and strict regulations on exporting objects considered to be of national heritage.
Every vendor who spoke said that because of this they operate their business from outside the country. “It’s too expensive to go to Russia, and it requires a visa, but I think the best items may be there,” said Merilin Pold, who runs an Etsy shop called Merilin’s Retro from her home in Tallinn, Estonia.Every vendor who spoke said that because of this they operate their business from outside the country. “It’s too expensive to go to Russia, and it requires a visa, but I think the best items may be there,” said Merilin Pold, who runs an Etsy shop called Merilin’s Retro from her home in Tallinn, Estonia.
Pold said she finds most of her items locally. “Mostly I get my items from our local thrift stores and internet auctions, but also from my friends and summer markets.”Pold said she finds most of her items locally. “Mostly I get my items from our local thrift stores and internet auctions, but also from my friends and summer markets.”
I’ve seen such joy when people discover​ed​ something familiar from their childhoodI’ve seen such joy when people discover​ed​ something familiar from their childhood
Another vendor who did not wish to be identified said he visits Russia periodically on the hunt for rare and quality items.Another vendor who did not wish to be identified said he visits Russia periodically on the hunt for rare and quality items.
The markup can be high, the vendors said, and the competition can be tough – a search for Soviet items on Etsy and eBay reveals dozens of sellers.The markup can be high, the vendors said, and the competition can be tough – a search for Soviet items on Etsy and eBay reveals dozens of sellers.
Bora Erdinc, who was born in Turkey but is now based in Berlin, said he currently makes about 300 euros a month selling a dozen or so items on his Etsy shop SovietGallery.Bora Erdinc, who was born in Turkey but is now based in Berlin, said he currently makes about 300 euros a month selling a dozen or so items on his Etsy shop SovietGallery.
He got into the business a few months ago after buying some clocks in Sofia, Bulgaria, and putting them online. “I had 10 different ones, and Americans bought them all,” he said.He got into the business a few months ago after buying some clocks in Sofia, Bulgaria, and putting them online. “I had 10 different ones, and Americans bought them all,” he said.
He emphasised the importance of having quality products and professional photos to show them off on the website. He has “some really beautiful stuff,” bought cheaply, he said, which should make a tidy profit.He emphasised the importance of having quality products and professional photos to show them off on the website. He has “some really beautiful stuff,” bought cheaply, he said, which should make a tidy profit.
Pold, who has sold more than 700 items since starting her online business in 2013, said she prices her products “high because these kinds of items are quite limited and are no longer available.”Pold, who has sold more than 700 items since starting her online business in 2013, said she prices her products “high because these kinds of items are quite limited and are no longer available.”
She added that some prices were negotiable. “Higher prices also leave me some room for discounts,” she said.She added that some prices were negotiable. “Higher prices also leave me some room for discounts,” she said.
Erdinc said his top buyers of Soviet antiques are Americans, followed by other westerners – “Germany and Austria are mostly interested in kitchen stuff: glasses, plates,” he added.Erdinc said his top buyers of Soviet antiques are Americans, followed by other westerners – “Germany and Austria are mostly interested in kitchen stuff: glasses, plates,” he added.
Pold, who sells a lot of Soviet-era antiques, said that 90% go to customers in the US, followed by Australia, the UK, Japan and France.Pold, who sells a lot of Soviet-era antiques, said that 90% go to customers in the US, followed by Australia, the UK, Japan and France.
She said that many of her customers also grew up in the Soviet Union and are nostalgic.She said that many of her customers also grew up in the Soviet Union and are nostalgic.
“I’ve seen such joy when people discover something familiar from their childhood. So many former Soviet people are living abroad now.”“I’ve seen such joy when people discover something familiar from their childhood. So many former Soviet people are living abroad now.”
Alex Bugayev, who runs an Etsy store called SovietWatches and is based in Odessa in Ukraine, said 80% of his customers are in the US.Alex Bugayev, who runs an Etsy store called SovietWatches and is based in Odessa in Ukraine, said 80% of his customers are in the US.
He got into the business in 2012 after collecting watches for years as a hobby. “I learned that in the west Soviet watches are highly regarded ,” he said.He got into the business in 2012 after collecting watches for years as a hobby. “I learned that in the west Soviet watches are highly regarded ,” he said.
AuthenticityAuthenticity
One of the main obstacles faced by would-be vendors is authenticity. Some of the souvenirs offered at eastern Moscow’s popular Izmailovsky Park market, for example, are made in China.One of the main obstacles faced by would-be vendors is authenticity. Some of the souvenirs offered at eastern Moscow’s popular Izmailovsky Park market, for example, are made in China.
Magnets, keychains and traditional matryoshka nesting dolls are made cheaply and brought to Russia to sell to tourists.Magnets, keychains and traditional matryoshka nesting dolls are made cheaply and brought to Russia to sell to tourists.
Igor Konnov, an antiques seller at the market, confirmed recently that some modern souvenirs are made in China, but he was adamant that his goods are authentic.Igor Konnov, an antiques seller at the market, confirmed recently that some modern souvenirs are made in China, but he was adamant that his goods are authentic.
He said he sells his antiques, which include Soviet-made toys, tea-glass holders and other knickknacks, to mostly locals who are nostalgic for the bygone era.He said he sells his antiques, which include Soviet-made toys, tea-glass holders and other knickknacks, to mostly locals who are nostalgic for the bygone era.
Despite the obstacles, making a living from the international treasure trove of Soviet souvenirs also has its advantages.Despite the obstacles, making a living from the international treasure trove of Soviet souvenirs also has its advantages.
“This is my current day job. I buy the items, wash them, take pictures,” said Pold. “I can plan my own time and do the job when I want to. I can take a vacation whenever I want.”“This is my current day job. I buy the items, wash them, take pictures,” said Pold. “I can plan my own time and do the job when I want to. I can take a vacation whenever I want.”
For Pold, it’s as much of a passion as a job.For Pold, it’s as much of a passion as a job.
“You have to love old things and not to be afraid of thrift shops and filthy things,” she said . “You must have a good eye to purchase the right things so your shop looks beautiful.“You have to love old things and not to be afraid of thrift shops and filthy things,” she said . “You must have a good eye to purchase the right things so your shop looks beautiful.
“It’s a lot of work, but if you love old things it’s great.”“It’s a lot of work, but if you love old things it’s great.”
Show us your Soviet-inspired souvenirs
Whether you have have a penchant for communist-era kitsch, collect press cuttings from the era or have old family photos taken in former USSR we’d like you see your Soviet-inspired memorabilia. Upload your photos here or by using the blue ‘contribute’ buttons on this article