STATE CONSIGNMENT SHOPS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82-00457R011800310005-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 13, 2006
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: May 12, 1952
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2006/08/08 : CIA-RDP82-00457R011800310005-6
SECRET
SECIRITY INFO RIMTION
INFORMATION REPORT REPORT NO.
CD NO.
COUNTRY R mania
5X1 SUBJECT State Consignment Shops
DATE D1STR. 12 May 1952
NO. OF PAGES 2
NO. OF ENCLS.
SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO.
Till OOC T COrTSIrS 1IN/OtlY1T10IN .FFECTIOO 70E YTIOR.L REFEINSE
OF TOE 40ITEO ITSTEI. 11TINI0 TINE INEYIINOOFTITLE IS, SECTIOS T93
Hr. OF TOE 0.0. CODE. AS ~MEO. ITS TRISINISSIN OR REVE-
IATIOO OIN ITR.000TEOTf TO a RECEIFT 111 Ad IIIIAMMIZED PERM 15
F101SSITEO Of Lr. TINE REF0000CTIR11 OF TONS FORK IS FRORIOITER.
THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION
1. Prior to the monetary reform owners of valuable articles such as ,-
china, silver, jewelry, and carpets had consigned these to special
state shops for sale on a commission basis. I diately following
the currency reform, these state shops bought the consigned articles
in new lei at prices based on the official exchange rate, for ex-
ample an article previously valued at 50,000 lei was bought by the.
shop for 137.50 new lei.
2. The State Consignment Shops which instituted this "forced sale"
procedure had closed for two-or three days before the monetary
- reform went into effect, thus depriving the owners of consigned
articles of their right to withdraw their valuables. This device
caused a considerable number of persons to lose what in many cases
were last vestiges of personal property and to accept currency
which had a much smaller purchasing power.
3. Soviet military officers, both in uniform-and in civilian dress,
were avid purchasers of various valuable articles from the special
state shops at extremely low prices. These buyers were interested
principally in furs,, jewelry, pianos and carpets.
Soviet personnel ststioiRd In
ew o the moons re oral for soar time before it gent into
effect.
4?
25X1
25X1
a short time before the currency
reform drivers employed by the Ministry of Interior made consider-
able purchases of rugs and carpets from tra" 17 rug Be
These purchases ware made for the Ministry. 25X1
the rugs were to be used in furnishing a sanatorium located
3t 1 NAVY NSRO
Lx I AIR
DISTRIBUTION -
Approved For Release 2006/08/08 : CIA-RDP82-00457R011800310005-6
 Approved For Release 2006/08/08 : CIA-RDP82-00457R011800310005-6
SECRET
25X1
on the outskirts of Otopeni. According to rumor, however, this
building is not a sanatorium but in reality is a haven for high
government officials.
SECRET,:
Approved For Release 2006/08/08 : CIA-RDP82-00457R011800310005-6