Dvorets sovetov 2-3 Oktiabr' 1931

Moscow: Izd-vo Mosoblispolkoma, 1931 Oblong octavo 17.5x24.5 cm., wrappers, 56pp. This series appeared in three parts, with the second and third numbers in the present issue. These were design entries for The Palace of The Soviets, initially conceived in 1922 by condemning the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. It invited an international competition, and drew on many luminaries of modernist design and over 160 entries were submitted, from avant-gardists to Neoclassicists. The first series illustrates the international entries and numbers 2-3 are from Soviet architects. All eventually were rejected in favor of a design by Boris Iofan with additions by Shchukov and Gelfreikh with Stalinist pretensions; even that lay dormant until groundbreaking in 1939 and lower walls erected, but war changed everything and after decades of neglect finally the space was rebuilt as The Cathedral from 1995 to 2000. No versions of the Palace ever achieved realization. Here we have 16 design entries including three from Iofan's office; all the entries are remarkable. This was one of the last design competitions in the USSR that gave architects free reign in their work. An important document of constructivist architecture in the USSR. Rare, OCLC locates only one holding in North America, with six microfolm holdings otherwise. Cover worn and sunbleached, interior near fine.