Celebrated book on Polish (and Ukrainian, Lithuanian etc.) costumes, especially interesting for its political text and context, often overlooked. Plates with attractive hand-colour - a fine example of the first edition.
![Image for Akhmatova, Brodsky and others, Important poems and other texts, incl. Poem bez geroia [Poem Without a Hero], first editions. #1](https://www.pyrarebooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/1354-300x260.jpg)
The first publication of Akhmatova's 'Poem Without a Hero' [Poem bez geroia] - as well as many other works by some of the best Russian poets and authors of the 20th century: a complete set of this important literary almanac, rare so.
Fine book-related letter signed by Akhmatova, one of Russia's greatest poets, where she lists her recent publications in Russia, after a difficult period of hard censorship.
PUSHKIN, Aleksandr and Sergey LIFAR (editor)
Puteshestvie v Arzrum vo vremia pokhoda 1829 goda [A Journey to Arzrum during the campaign of 1829]
Pushkin's best travel account in a fine bibliophilic edition, with the first publication of his draft.
[BEARDSLEY] – Nikolai Nikolaevich EVREINOV
Berdslei [Beardsley]
First edition of the first significant Russian essay on Beardsley, richly illustrated and published by the first female theatrical director in Russia. A rare publication in Western institutions.
Charming early Soviet ABC by a noted artist of natural history, in excellent condition and very rare: we could trace only one copy at auction (in Russia) and one in a public library (in Russia too).
Very rare early Uzbek publication: a lovely association copy of the first edition, inscribed by the author to an important Russain official in Turkestan. This travel account in the heart of Russian Central Asia contains fascinating details on the economy of the region, especially in the Fergana valley in the Arslanbob mountains, famous for its important walnut forest. No other copy traced.
One of the best Russian war artists in Central Asia: a fine example, signed by Vereshchagin and attractively bound, of this rich visual record of nowadays Uzbekistan and the surrounding regions at the height of the Great Game. Uncommon.
ESENIN, Sergei, with Boris PASTERNAK, Andrei BELII et al
Iav. Stikhi [Reality. Poems]
Exceptional association copy of these scandalous Russian imaginist poems, extensively inscribed by three co-authors – including Esenin - to a fourth one, Alexander Olenin. With Aristarkh Lentulov's striking cover bound in a very unusual cloth-and-wicker binding of the time. One of the best, if not the best example of this famous book of Russian poetry.
First edition of Kruzenshtern's important study of North Pacific languages, in a superb, very unusual example: very crisp, uncut, in plain temporary wrappers and printed on thicker woven paper. We were unable to trace other such large-paper copies. A rare book on the market: only two copies at auction.
SOLZHENITSYN, Aleksandr Isaevich
Odin den Ivana Denisovicha [One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich]
First edition of the celebrated author's first book § a famous 'pirate' edition published without Solzhenitsyn's consent. A very good copy, with the striking original wrappers.
One of the most famous books on the Caucasus, and Georgia in particular; the first significant work on the region; the first large lithographic view of Tbilisi; with hand-coloured costume plates. A lovely, complete example of the first edition, in contemporary publisher's binding.
The preferred fully hand-coloured version of this lovely work on Russian costume and customs, here in a decorative binding. With 3 supplementary plates = 111 plates overall, with original colouring.
Saint Petersburg before Napoleon's campaign: a superb example in red morocco, very fresh and exempt of any foxing, of the expanded second edition (published the year of Waterloo), containing sixteen more letters in addition to the six published in the original edition of 1812. A scarce Italian book on Russia.