Innovative, early study by "one of the most important linguists of the 19th century" (Walravens). Scarce, with no copy traced in recent decades; this one in very good, original condition.
Fine, uncut example of the first part (of 2) of this contemporary abridgement of Karamzin's masterpiece, made for students of the Russian language, with useful, didactic remarks. Scarce.
![Image for POLANCUS & BUDINIC. Ispravnik za erei... [Guide for Priests...]. First edition in Croatian Glagolitic. Rome, 1635. #2](https://www.pyrarebooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/3117_1-300x440.jpg)
POLANCUS, Joannes [Juan Alfonso de POLANCO] and Sime BUDINIC (transl.)
Ispravnik za erei, ispovidnici, i za pokornih [Guide for Priests, Confessors and the Penitent]
Fresh example of this Propaganda Fide edition in Croatian Glagolitic of an important Jesuit text for priests. Uncommon.
First edition of this very first 'old testament' in Ossetian. A fine example, in wrappers and inscribed by the author to an important local missionary. Very rare, with only one other copy traced (Denmark).
Interesting and rare St. Petersburg edition on Ottoman Turkish, with impressive plates of Ottoman documents. Only 2 copies traced outside Russia.
![Image for [ARMENIAN CALLIGRAPHY]. A. PALCHEAN. Vayelchʻagrutʻiwn. First edition, Vienna, 1838. #2](https://www.pyrarebooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/3331_1-300x211.jpg)
Attractive volume showing fine Armenian calligraphy made to celebrate the new Armenian monastery in Vienna - to be built when the book was published. Very rare edition, with no copies traced in Armenia nor the Americas.
AMADUTIUS, Iohannes Christophorus [Giovanni Cristoforo AMADUZZI]
Alphabetum armenum
Fine example of this attractive Armenian alphabet for missionaries, the first edition with the lovely animal-shaped letters.
LOMONOSSOW, Michael [Mikhail LOMONOSOV] and Johann Lorenz STAVENHAGEN (translator)
Russische Grammatick
Attractive example of this celebrated, landmark grammar of the Russian language, here in its important first German translation, and the first foreign translation overall. No copies traced at auction in the last 40 years, and only 5 in libraries (1 only in USA).
![Image for [J.G. SPARWENFELD]. Placzewnaja recz... First edition, Stockholm, 1697. #2](https://www.pyrarebooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/3138_1-300x375.jpg)
An extremely rare and very intriguing publication, mixing Russian language, Latin types and Swedish political agenda at the end of the 17th century - just before the wars of Peter the Great and Charles XII. Apparently no copy in Russia; this being the second or third copy traced. A fine example.
First edition of this remarkable study of Georgian, published to support Marr's celebrated 'Japhetic theory'. Fresh internally with almost 30 folding tables. Rare.
![Image for SHAKESPEARE & GRIGORIEV. Sheilok [The Merchant of Venice]. First edition of this translation. St. Petersburg, 1860. #2](https://www.pyrarebooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2676_1-300x161.jpg)
SHEKSPIR [William SHAKESPEARE] and Apollon GRIGORIEV (translator)
Sheilok, Venetsianskii zhid [Shylock, The Merchant of Venice [or in this case] The Jew of Venice]
Very rare translation into Russian of Shakespeare 'Merchant of Venice'. An appealing example.
EPIKTIT [EPICTETUS], Kevit Fiveiskii [CEBES of Thebes] and Grigorii POLETIKA (translator)
Epiktita stoicheskago filosofa Enkhiridion i Apofoegmy i Kevita Fiveiskago Kartina ili Izobrazhenie zhitiia chelovecheskago [Epictetus, the Stoic philosopher's Enchiridion and Apothegms; and The Picture, or a Representation of the Life of Man, by Cebes of Thebes]
An important edition: the first of Epictetus and Cebes in Russia, and one of the first translations of Greek into Russian. Very rare: no copy traced outside Russia.
Attractive small volume, in fine condition, of these two very rare editions focusing on Czech proverbs, theatre, poetry and language. With fine provenances.
CHAGALL, Marc (artist) and Der NISTER [pseud. for Pinchus KAHANOVICH]
A Mayse mit a Hon; Dos Tsigele [A Story About a Rooster [and] The Little Goat]
Chagall's first illustrated book, his only children book, and a landmark of Yiddish book illustration, published the year of the Russian revolution. Very rare, especially in this very good condition: about 5 other copies known.
![Image for [TYPOGRAPHY]. Caratteri orientali... First edition, Rome, 1889. #2](https://www.pyrarebooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/1670_1-300x429.jpg)
Extremely rare catalogue of oriental types used by the press of one of the most important scientific academy. In great condition - and only one other copy traced (in California).
LARIONOV, M[ikhail], Nataliia GONCHAROVA, Ilia ZDANEVICH, [Pablo] PICASSO and others
Grand Bal Travesti / Transmental [Programme, Ticket and Handbill]
Lovely gathering of three 'ephemera' items produced for the first Russian ball of the avant-garde in Paris - an eclectic show with music and dances in newly designed costumes. With Larionov's ticket, Goncharova's handbill and the famous programme with many artistic contributions.