Imperial Corps of Pages: a Virtual Exhibition Catalog
Bakhmeteff Archive,
Rare Book and Manuscript Library,
Columbia University Libraries, Columbia University
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Aleksandr von Pistolkors,
Class of 1905
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About
the Exhibition. This
virtual exhibition catalog includes selections from the
Columbia University Libraries exhibition on view from
December 1, 2002 to February 28, 2003, timed to coincide
with celebrations of the 300th anniversary of St. Petersburg.
The exhibition featured objects
drawn exclusively from the Imperial Corps of Pages
collection held by the Bakhmeteff
Archive of Russian and East European History and Culture,
one of the world's most extensive repositories of
Russian materials outside Russia. This exhibition
of unique photographs, newsletters, and printed memorabilia,
such as programs, menus, tickets and school forms
portrays Corps of Pages school life and the life of
the Imperial family.
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The Imperial Corps of Pages. The Corps of Pages was
a privileged military school reserved for sons of noblemen
and high-ranking officers. It was founded in October 1802
by Alexander I in St. Petersburg. Except by personal appointment
of the Emperor or as a son of a Major-General killed in
action, admission was only by a difficult competitive
examination. Only the sons or grandsons of those in the
top three levels of the Table of Rank were eligible to
apply. All graduates were assigned to the imperial regiment
of their choice. A small percentage of graduates entered
the diplomatic or civil services. From its inception until
1917, the Corps graduated 4,505 officers. An additional
200 were unable to complete their education because of
the revolution. The school was disbanded on the order
of Alexander Kerenskii, War Minister of the Provisional
Government, in June 1917.
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About the Collection. The Imperial Corps
of Pages collection was acquired by Columbia University
over a period of more than twenty years (1957-1982). The
collection consists of unusual photographs, lists of graduates,
paintings, etchings, newsletters, and printed mementos
belonging to the Imperial family and the Corps of Pages.
The bulk was purchased during 1957-1971 from the Union
of Pages, the emigré alumni organization founded in 1920.
Almost 400 photographs, chiefly of students and graduates
of the Corps of Pages, and school life ephemera, as well
as a few photographs of Nicholas II, were donated to the
Archive in 1982 by Alexei Mozhaiskii.
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