Former Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu’s communist party card is one of the star items in a communist memorabilia auction organised by local auction house Artmark at the end of March.

All communists had to have such a red card to prove their allegiance to the party. Nicolae Ceausescu became a member of Romania’s Communist Party (PCR) in early 1932. At that time, the party was illegal, and the secret police labelled young Ceausescu "a dangerous Communist agitator". They arrested him in 1933, when he was just 15.

Ceausescu’s career in the Communist Party boomed after World War II. He served as minister in some communist governments and then, in 1965, he succeeded communist leader Gheorghe Gheorghiu-Dej as party leader (General Secretary of the Romanian Communist Party) and president of Romania.

He held power for 22 years, ruling the country as a dictator. He was overthrown in December 1989 during the events known as the Romanian Revolution. A military court sentenced tried him and his wife Elena Ceausescu and sentenced them to death. They were shot on Christmas day (December 25, 1989).

Ceausescu’s communist party card reveals some less-known details about Ceausescu, such as his father’s liberal past. The starting price for the item is EUR 300.

The auction, called “The Golden Era” (as the communist period was then referred to), also features Ceausescu’s communist labourer’s cap, which has a starting price of EUR 100.

Luxury items belonging to the couple are also on sale. These include two fur coats (one blue fox and one silver fox) as well as a Gucci purse that belonged to Elena Ceausescu, each with a starting price of around EUR 1,000.

Several paintings and posters, as well as other communist memorabilia, are on the auction list. The event takes place on March 25 at Athenee Palace Hilton.

editor@romania-insider.com