S. Marshak, D. Mitrokhin illus.
Knizhka pro knizhki (A Book About Books)
Leningrad: Gosudarstvennoe izdatel'stvo: 1928
- $1,100
Square octavo 22.5x19 cm., wrappers, (10) pp. A slovenly boy severely abuses the books in his household, leaving missing covers, torn pages, and other damage in such classics as The Brothers Grimm, Don Quixote, and Robinson Crusoe, among others. The books decide to escape, and flee en masse to the public library where they are greeted by a strong, stern, library catalog. They are repaired and put to bed to convalesce. When the boy discovers that all of his books are missing, he goes to the library to inquire about borrowing. The books recognize the boy, alert the library catalog, and - as the final illustration implies - fly off the shelves to chase or attack him. Author Samuil Marshak (1887-1964) was one of the great children's story tellers of the 20th century, authoring some of the most significant works for children in the Soviet era. Dmitry Mitrokhin (1883-1973) was a major graphic artist. He illustrated this 4th edition in a wonderful collaboration.
More from Michael Fagan Fine Art & Rare Books
Kartoshka
Lena Neiman, A. Shcherbakov illus. Octavo 16x13 cm., wrappers, (14) pp. Lina-Sofia Samuilovna Neumann (1883-1971) was a children's book author and Russian literary scholar. She was already an established pedagogue before writing her first children's book in 1927, along with expanding literary studies and writings. She went silent after 1937 until 1960, and was only accepted into the Writer's Guild at the age of 78. OCLC locates holdings at Getty, NYPL. Very good+ with sunned spine- $700
- $700
VOZNIKNOVENIE GORODA. Stikhotvorenaia povest.
Viktor Zavodchikov Octavo 18x13 cm., boards, 48pp. Cover design by N.O. Iakubovyi Munts. Vladimir Pavlovich Zavodnikov (1904-1969) was a Komsomol poet and war correspondent. The present work, The Emergence of the City, includes photographs of urban building in various stages. OCLC locates two holdings in North America (Stanford, Ohio State Univ). A fine copy- $750
- $750
150.000.000
Vladimir Mayakovsky Octavo 18x13.5 cm., wrappers. 70 pp. The first edition of this epic work, published anonymously. Released in 5000 copies, Lenin was nonplussed, and dismissed Mayakovsky as "one of those Futurists" who he detested, and called it "hooligan communism." The poem had tremendous propagandistic effect, however, and proclaimed itself as Russia's Iliad. It was subsequently reprinted, translated into many languages, and has been a subject of study and exposition ever since. This copy fine.- $1,100
- $1,100
Groshki i meshki (Pots & Bags)
Ia. Godin, Tat'iana Krshanovskaya illus. Octavo 20x15 cm., wrappers, (12) pp. Iakov Godin (1887-1954) was a Russian poet, translator, and editor. No biographical data for the illustrator Tatiana Krshinovskaia is currently available . OCLC finds one North American institutional holding (Harvard) for this work. A fine copy- $700
- $700
Kartoshka
Ia. Meksin, risunki K. Kuznetsova Octavo 19.5x15 cm., wrappers, 12pp Iakov Petkovich Metsin (1886-1943) was a Soviet childrens book author, publisher, editor, and bookseller. Maksin was largely responsible for the overall direction of childrens literature in the USSR under various bureaus until his arrest in 1938. A story about the chocolate potato. With artwork by Konstantin Vasilevich Kuznetsov (1873-1943), book artist, animator, and engraver. A near fine copy.- $700
- $700
O BEREZE, O MOROZE, ELKAKH DA IGOLKAKH. About Birch, About Frost, Fir Trees and Needles).
A. Kovalenskii, N. Kupreanov illus Oblong octavo 19.5x15 cm., wrappers, 22pp. Drawings by Nikolai Kupreianov (1894-1933). Finely rendered nature introduction to young readers. Aleksandr Viktorovich Kovalenskii (1897-1965) was a symbolist poet who authored children's books in the 1920s and 30s. OCLC locates three holdings in North America. A fine copy.- $1,100
- $1,100
OTCHET IZBIRATELIAM 1931-1934. Materialy o rabote Leninskogo raionnogo soveta RK I KD, Moskva. (Report to Voters for 1931-1934 on the Work of the Lenin District Council.)
Nikolai Sedelnikov and V. Ignatovich. Quarto 26.5x18 cm., wrappers, 112pp., with 26.5x17 cm. foldout. Cover and book design by The book addresses the work done to develop the Lenin District of Moscow, its communal economy, cultural objectives, etc. The Leninsky District was an administrative unit that existed from 1930 to 1991. Nikolai Sedelnikov (1904-1995) was a highly talented graphic designer and illustrator who excelled in photocollage. Includes Constructivist design work by Iofan, Kucherov, Vlasov, photo-portraits. Rare, with no worldcat holdings. A near fine copy. 2700- $2,700
- $2,700
STAATSTHEATER W. MEYERHOLD. Auustandstournee 1930
Vsevolod Meyerhold, (Klutsis cover) Quarto 24.5x19 cm., stiff wrappers in silver jacket, 46pp. Dust wrapper design by Gustav Klutsis. The accompanying book to Meyerholds tour abroad in 1930 when he took the State Theater (Gos TIM) to Germany and France where he received acclaim. The book is replete with photos and summaries of Biomechanics, and various plays with cast featured, including Liubov Popovas work for The Magnanimous Cuckhold. A very fine copy in fine dust wrapper.- $1,500
- $1,500
