20th century: Dissidence & Emigre

Image for V. SIRIN [NABOKOV]. Korol, Dama, Valet. First edition, Berlin, 1928. #2

A "bright brute [with an] elaborate and rapturous composition" (Nabokov) - in the original wrappers

SIRIN, V. [pseud. for Vladimir NABOKOV]

Korol, Dama, Valet [King, Queen, Knave]

£2,750

SIRIN, V. [pseud. for Vladimir NABOKOV], Korol, Dama, Valet

Early Nabokov: a pleasant example of the novel's first edition.

Image for BULGAKOV, M. Master i Margarita, first edition. Paris, 1967. #2

First edition of one of the greatest Russian novels

BULGAKOV, Mikhail

Master i Margarita [Master and Margarita]

£5,500

BULGAKOV, Mikhail, Master i Margarita

Pleasant example, in the original wrappers, of the first edition of this amazing novel, one of the best ever written in Russia. Banned in Soviet Union.

Image for A. AKHMATOVA. Chetki, Belaia Staia, Anno Domini. 3 volumes, 1923. #2

The whole series: Akhmatova's first 'collected works'

AKHMATOVA, Anna

Chetki [with] Belaia staia [with] Anno Domini [Beads [with] White Flock [with] Anno Domini]

£950

AKHMATOVA, Anna, Chetki [with] Belaia staia [with] Anno Domini

Most of Akhmatova's pre-1923 poetry in three matching volumes, including some new publications. Rarely found together in satisfying condition without restoration. With continuous bibliophile provenance and poems added in manuscript.

Image for A. AKHMATOVA. Anno Domini. Peterburg, 1923. #2

First appearance of new poems

AKHMATOVA, Anna

Anno Domini

£125

AKHMATOVA, Anna, Anno Domini

Akhmatova's poetry during the Civil War, here in the first expanded edition.

Image for A. AKHMATOVA. Belaia staia. Third edition, Peterburg, 1922. #2

When she was still allowed in Soviet Union

AKHMATOVA, Anna

Belaia staia [White Flock]

£375

AKHMATOVA, Anna, Belaia staia

Fresh example of this uncommon, early edition of Akhmatova's third book.

Image for A. AKHMATOVA. Belaia staia. Berlin & Peterburg, 1923. #2

First time in Berlin

AKHMATOVA, Anna

Belaia staia [White Flock]

£195

AKHMATOVA, Anna, Belaia staia

The third collection of poetry of Russia's great poetess, here in the first edition to be printed abroad.

Image for AKHMATOVA, A. U samogo moria. First edition, 1921. #2

A Black Sea youth

AKHMATOVA, Anna

U samogo moria [At the Edge of the Sea]

£750

AKHMATOVA, Anna, U samogo moria

The first edition of this important autobiographical poem by one of the best Russian poets, and a victim of Soviet censorship.

Image for E. BISSINGER. Tainy masonstva. First Russian edition, Bruxelles, 1930s #2

Published in Brussels

BISSINGER, Edgar

Tainy masonstva [The Secrets of Freemasonry]

£325

BISSINGER, Edgar, Tainy masonstva

A striking cover design for this first Russian edition of a Nazi pamphlet translated for the Russian fascists.

Image for DEMIDOV V. Russkaia zhizn. First edition, New York, 1942. #2

'Russophobic' Western propaganda during WWII

Protoierei V. DEMIDOV

Russkaia zhizn v krivom zerkale inostrantsev [Russian Life in the Crooked Mirror of Foreigners]

£95

Protoierei V. DEMIDOV, Russkaia zhizn v krivom zerkale inostrantsev

Against Western - but also Soviet - anti-Russian propaganda. By a military priest who first emigrated to Kharbin before the USA.

Image for PUSHKIN & STALIN. Lukomore. Samizdat, USSR, 1970s #2

The greatest Russian poet and the greatest Soviet dictator...

[PUSHKIN and STALIN]

Lukomore

£100

[PUSHKIN and STALIN], Lukomore

A small leaf containing a funny parody which could send you to a GULAG camp.

Image for VERBITSKYI, M. on Holodomor.First edition, London, 1952. #2

Famine? Which famine?

VERBYTSKYI, M

Naibilshyi zlochyn Kremlia: zaplianovanyi shtuchnyi holod v Ukraini 1932-1933 rokiv [The Kremlin's Greatest Crime: the Planned Artificial Famine in Ukraine in 1932-1933]

£450

VERBYTSKYI, M, Naibilshyi zlochyn Kremlia: zaplianovanyi shtuchnyi holod v Ukraini 1932-1933 rokiv

A striking cover for a striking book: the first extensive study of the 1930s Great Famine in Ukraine. First edition, published in London.

Image for LINSKII, DRIZO, AVERCHENKO... Bich - Bitche. Complete set, first edition. Paris, 1920. #2

Colourful satire by Odessans in Paris

LINSKII, Mikhail, Mikhail DRIZO (pseud. MAD), Arkadii AVERCHENKO and others

Bich. Bitche [Whip]

£2,250

LINSKII, Mikhail, Mikhail DRIZO (pseud. MAD), Arkadii AVERCHENKO and others, Bich. Bitche

Complete set of this scarce satirical periodical of the Russophone community in Paris. With a wealth of caricatural drawings and wide-ranging texts.

Image for TSVETAEVA, M. Razluka, first edition. Berlin, 1922. #2

Partially unopened, in the publisher's boards

TSVETAEVA, Marina Ivanovna

Razluka [Separation]

£1,500

TSVETAEVA, Marina Ivanovna, Razluka

An attractive example of this fragile production, Tsvetaeva's first poetry collection published abroad. First edition.

Image for SHANKOVSKY, L. Istoriia UPA. Rare samizdat. #2

Dangerous illegal printing in Soviet Ukraine

[SHANKOVSKY, Lev]

Istoriia UPA [History of the UPA]

£475

[SHANKOVSKY, Lev], Istoriia UPA

Rare example of a Ukrainian samizdat, focusing on the history of its now famous resistance group.

Image for KHOLMSTON-SMYSLOVSKII, B. Articles & speeches. Buenos Aires, 1953 #2

A noted military theorist in Argentina

KHOLMSTON-SMYSLOVSKII, [Boris]

Izbrannye stati i rechi [Selected Articles and Speeches]

£195

KHOLMSTON-SMYSLOVSKII, [Boris], Izbrannye stati i rechi

A volume of essays by a Russian anti-communist general, published in South America, where he advised the Argentinian president.

Image for PARNOK, S. Vpolgolosa, first edition, inscribed. Moscow, 1928. #2

"Russia's Sapho" and her circle of female friends

PARNOK, Sofiia

Vpolgolosa. Stkihi 1926-1927 [Half-Whispered. Poems 1926-1927]

£4,250

PARNOK, Sofiia, Vpolgolosa. Stkihi 1926-1927

An inscribed copy of Parnok's last collection of verses: a very rare work by a Russian woman standing out in the literary landscape of the country.

Image for NABOKOV, BLOK, TEFFI, REMIZOV etc. Rodnaia Zemlia. Complete first edition, 1920-21. #2

Very early publication by Nabokov

[NABOKOV, Vladimir, A. BLOK, TEFFI, A. REMIZOV and others]

Rodnaia Zemlia, Sbornik 1-2 [The Native Land; First [and] Second Collection]

£1,650

[NABOKOV, Vladimir, A. BLOK, TEFFI, A. REMIZOV and others], Rodnaia Zemlia, Sbornik 1-2

Possibly the earliest appearance of Nabokov in the West - together with several works many other important authors. A fine example in original wrappers.

Image for PASTERNAK, B. Doktor Zhivago. Ann Arbor, 1959. #3

The first edition in Russian after the Nobel Prize award

PASTERNAK, Boris

Doktor Zhivago [Doctor Zhivago]

£1,250

PASTERNAK, Boris, Doktor Zhivago

First printing of the first "legal" Russian edition of this famous Nobel Prize winner. A lovely copy of Pasternak's masterpiece.

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