Dear Comrade!

I have no objection whatsoever to the adoption of the surname Stalin; on the contrary, I shall be very glad, since this circumstance affords me the opportunity to have a younger brother. (I have no brothers and never have had any.)

I will try to write the article as soon as I have the opportunity.

As for the procedure for changing one's surname, you should apply to the administrative department of the gubernia executive committee for information.

With Communist greetings --

I. Stalin.

Istochnik. 1996. No. 2. Pp. 158-159.

AP RF F. 45. Op. 1. D. 711. L. 190.

NOTE

Stalin's letter is a reply to the following appeal (the orthography and syntax of the original have been preserved):

"1924, July 29.

Good day, Iosif Vissarionovich!

You of course do not know me and have not even heard of me, since there are millions like me in the USSR, whereas I know you from newspapers and magazines.

Having read in the journal Smena, which I subscribe to, about you as Ilyich's beloved pupil, I was inspired by this; I had thought that Ilyich had no beloved pupils.

On behalf of the Komsomol, I ask you to write about Ilyich as a teacher on the pages of the journal Smena, since this journal serves as a guide for working youth. I hope the request will be fulfilled..."

The author then describes the difficulties he had to overcome to join the Komsomol and his social work. The letter concludes with the following request:

"...And as a Leninist, I too wish to honor his memory, and therefore at home I have a Lenin corner, which contains a little bit of literature and posters. But there is no article.

After Ilyich's death I wanted to change my surname, Blokhin, to Lenin, but upon reflection I decided that I am not worthy of such an honor.

And so I decided to change my surname to yours, that is, to Stalin; if anyone asks me 'why did you change your surname to Stalin,' I will answer 'in honor of Ilyich's beloved pupil, Comrade Stalin.'
And therefore I appeal to you, Comrade Stalin: do you have anything against this? If not, then please explain to me where I should apply and whether I may change my surname..."

Having received Stalin's letter, Blokhin replied:

"Nyandoma, September 12, 1924.

Dear Iosif Vissarionovich!

The day before yesterday I received your letter, for which I thank you very, very much, and I hope that in the future from time to time you will write, sharing questions of life with your little brother Mishanko.

Today, together with your letter, I am sending a letter to Vologda, to the gubernia executive committee (regarding the change of surname); I will report the further results in my next letter..."

No other letters from M.N. Blokhin are found in the archive, and it is unknown whether he carried out his intention.