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Exceptional original 1946 China Marines document and photograph group relating to the marriage of a U.S. Marine stationed in Tientsin, China, to a young Russian/Soviet woman born in China.
The principal document is an original U.S. Foreign Service marriage certificate recording the marriage of William J. Kniseley, age 24, born in Wichita, Kansas, and Tatiana Alexandrovna Lenkova, age 19, born in Tsinanfu, China.
Kniseley is identified on the document as a Staff Sergeant, United States Marine Corps, First Marine Division.
The marriage took place on August 24, 1946, in Tientsin, China, during the historically significant post-WWII period when U.S. Marines were stationed in North China.
Tatiana Alexandrovna Lenkova is identified in the documentation as a Soviet citizen, making the marriage particularly interesting within the complicated Russian émigré, Soviet and American military history of postwar China.
The group includes the original marriage documentation and associated copy/duplicate, together with the original baby photograph found with the documents. These pieces were discovered together and are being offered together in order to preserve their historical association and provenance.
The combination provides a fascinating snapshot of the China Marines / First Marine Division presence in North China following World War II, as well as the multinational community that remained in Tientsin during the opening period of the Chinese Civil War.
This is an original historical group, not a reproduction.
Condition: Vintage original documents and photograph showing expected age, handling and storage wear. Please examine all photographs carefully for folds, creases, toning, edge wear, marks and other condition details. Nothing has been cleaned, repaired or altered.
Shipping: Documents and photograph will be individually protected, placed between rigid backing and securely packaged. Shipment will include tracking and insurance.
Item specifics
Conflict: Post-WWII / Chinese Civil War Era
Original/Reproduction: Original
Theme: Militaria
Branch of Service: U.S. Marine Corps
Unit: First Marine Division
Country/Region of Manufacture: China
Location: Tientsin (Tianjin), China
Year: 1946
Document Type: Marriage Certificate
Associated Name: William J. Kniseley
Associated Name: Tatiana Alexandrovna Lenkova
