Mock invitation to fête Count Michael Ignatieff and Czar Nicholas

It has mysterious origins.

It was the mention of Borscht that tipped me off.

That and the disclaimer in fine print at the bottom: "This is intended as political satire."

The tasteful-looking invitation to a birthday party for Michael Ignatieff and Russian Czar Nicholas II, seemed honest enough (see below.)

But there were subtle hints of a partisan prank: "Come join us as we and other members of the political class celebrate the birthdays of Count Michael Ignatieff and Czar Nicholas II."

The postmark doesn't reveal much, just an address near Montreal.

Would the real mastermind of this joke please make him/herself known?

Calls went out to the Conservatives and the NDP and both parties say they had nothing to do with it.

Oh, and for the record, I'm told OLO (Office of the Leader of the Opposition) staff members spent Mr. Ignatieff's actual birthday at Stornoway, watching the Habs game and eating Indian food, not Borscht.