article is devoted to features of visualization of history of Russia in the American universal and historical encyclopedias of the XX-XI centuries (Britannica, the American encyclopedia, the Encyclopedia of history of Russia, etc.) Funds and museums in which the images used in these editions are stored are characterized. The question of reflection in editions of natural, ethnic features of the country, images of political and cultural elite of the state is considered. The assessment of features of the text comment to the provided images is given.