Soiuzpechat

a network of organizations and enterprises in the Ministry of Communications of the USSR. On Nov. 21,1918, V. I. Lenin signed a decree of the Council of People’s Commissars on the recruitment of people for the dissemination of periodicals. Soiuzpechat’ distributes Soviet and foreign newspapers, magazines, journals, and weeklies throughout the country by subscription and on a retail basis. Subscriptions for periodical publications are accepted by post offices, Soiuzpechat’ divisions and agencies, and public press distributors at industrial enterprises, kolkhozes, sovkhozes, and institutions. A publications list and subscription information are provided in annual catalogues and price lists issued by the Central Board of Soiuzpechat’ and by its local organs. Soiuzpechat’ has an extensive retail sales network comprising special shops, kiosks, mobile sales facilities, and newspaper and magazine vending machines. In addition to selling periodicals, these outlets sell stamps, philatelic publications, books, pamphlets, graphics, lapel pins, and other popular items. As of Jan. 1, 1975, this retail network included more than 500 shops, 30,500 kiosks, and approximately 11,000 vending machines.