Search Results: English literature from Biblionne

Retold by Boris Zakhoder.
First edition with these illustrations. First book edition of this translation.
This adaptation of Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland was done by Boris Zakhoder (1918–2000), a prominent poet, translator, and children's writer. Zakhoder's version was first published in the magazine Pioneer in 1971–1972 (# 12, 1-3) and was accompanied by an introduction where he expressed his desire to rename the book something more creative than Alice in Wonderland. He suggested names such as Aliska in Imagination, Aliska in Surprisedland, Aliska in Chepukhania or Aliska in Raschudesiya, but ultimately succumbed to the established literary tradition. Zakhoder also confessed that Alice's Adventures in Wonderland was his favorite book, which he had re-read in the original language for 25 years before translating it into Russian. He tried to convey the same emotions and imaginative spirit of the English version to Russian children in his translation. Zakhoder's adaptation was a… Read More

One of 5 300 copies printed.Most likely, these is first appearance of Lawrence's verses in Russian.Signed for printing on November, 21 1937.The book still considered as the best anthology in Russian of English poetry from the mid-Victorian period of the 1930s. The real compiler of the anthology was political and literary historian Prince Dmitry Svyatopolk-Mirsky (1890-1939), who was arrested on 3rd June 1937 and died in prison. He brought together a splendid team of translators and called into play all the knowledge he had accumulated about English poetry. Mirsky's biographer G.S. Smith wrote: 'The translators Mirsky used in his anthology were all based in Leningrad, and he set up the project during a visit there in September 1935. The finished anthology was in the process of publication when Mirsky was arrested; in order to save the enterprise, his name was completely removed from the book and replaced by that of M. Gutner, one of his team of translators. Gunter, a young scholar who was soon killed… Read More

Translation by the Prince D. Viazemskii.
First edition of this translation. First separate Russian edition of Wilde's Aphorisms.
The first Russian translation of Wilde's aphorisms was published in 1905, the same year as the original edition. It was prepared by Ekaterina Andreeva, the second wife of the symbolist poet Konstantin Balmont. In 1908, Wilde's aphorisms were published in the magazine Novyi zhurnal literatury, iskusstva i nauki (New Journal of Literature, Art, and Science; #1–4). The following year, they were included in Wilde's Collection of Works (vol. 7). Additionally, another translation of the aphorisms was issued in the magazine Novoe slovo (New Word).
This translation was made by a military officer and duke, Dmitriy Viazemskii (1884–1917), who was also a vowel of the St. Petersburg City Duma. This was likely Viazemskii's only experience with translation. Unfortunately, he met a tragic end when he was killed by a stray bullet during the February Revolution.
Roznatovskaia. # 479*… Read More

Translation by the Princess A. Obolenskaia.
First and only edition of this translation. First Russian edition of De Profundis as a separate book.
The first Russian translation of Wilde's De Profundis appeared in 1905, which was the same year as the original text. It was translated by Ekaterina Andreeva, who happened to be the second spouse of the symbolist poet Konstantin Balmont. A portion of her translation was published in the symbolist magazine Vesy (#3), and it was followed by the release of a separate book. The following year, an anonymous translation was released as the third volume of Wilde's complete works, but it was based on Andreeva's translation, which was edited for the publication.
In 1908, there were two Russian translations of De Profundis that came out: this edition and extracts in the magazine Vesy by Wilde's foremost translator, the journalist and secretary of Vesy named Mikhail Likiardopulo, who had familiarity with Alfred Douglas and Robert Ross (separate edition appeared in… Read More

One of 10 000 copies printed.First Russian edition.Second Aldington's book in Russian.
The Russian translation of The Colonel's Daughter appeared three years after Russian publication of "Death of a Hero". Prince Dmitry Svyatopolk-Mirsky (1890-1939), political and literary historian, supplied a preface for the novel. He returned to the Soviet Union from emigration in London in 1932. Later during Great Purge, he was arrested. His name was banned and removed from the Soviet literature. According to preface Aldington used Anton Chekhov's literary techniques: for example, in the dialogue between the main character Georgina Smithers and Dolly Casement, 'a lesbian'. Finding such character trait in Soviet book is unexpected. For many decades lesbianism and homosexuality were taboo themes for the Soviet people. It was treated as a deviation from the sexual norm, as a perversion or an illness. Article 121 of the Soviet Criminal Code expressly prohibited only male homosexuality. However, women could be sent to… Read More

Translation by E. Selezneva.
First Bisset's Russian book. The only edition of these illustrations.
This is Donald Bisset's first book in Russian, which introduced the storyteller to Soviet children. It is believed that Bisset is more famous in Russia than in his home country. Many of his stories were translated and adapted into animated films, including puppet animation. Bisset visited the USSR for the first time in 1969 and participated in the International Conference of Children's Book Writers in Moscow in 1973.
The book was designed by the prominent Russian avant-garde artist Alisa Poret (1902–1984). She studied at VKhUTEIN under K. Petrov-Vodkin and later joined Analytical Art, Pavel Filonov's school, becoming one of his greatest students. From 1928, she worked at Detgiz publishing house and collaborated with the avant-gardist and absurdist poet Daniil Kharms. Poret was accused of formalism and forced to change her unique style in the 1930s to avoid repression. Unfortunately, many of Poret's… Read More

Translation by Boris Pasternak. Preface and comments - M. Morozov.
Signed to print 7/VIII 1942. The book was issued during the Second World War.
Second book edition of Hamlet in Pasternak's translation.
Vsevolod Meyerkhold, Soviet theater director, asked to Pasternak translate this play in 1938. Meyerhold decided that Hamlet should be played by two actors: man and woman. One should read tragic monologue another mimicking him.
Meyerkhold tested for Hamlet his wife, an actress Zinaida Reich.
Pasternak finished his translation in the spring of 1939. By this time Meyerhold was arrested and shot, his wife was killed by unknown person in her apartment. Pasternak felt he could also be arrested. He wanted to finish this translation as his latest book. He wrote in a letter to his father that he would have gone mad without the work on Hamlet.
The only publication of illustrations by Russian artist Nikolai Kuz'min. His portrait of late Zinaida Reich in character of Hamlet is placed on the front cover.
Preface… Read More

Moskva, Khudozhestvennaya literatura, 1949.Limited to 10 000 copies.First edition of King Lear in Pasternak's translations. Signed for print on November 24, 1948.Pasternak finished King Lear's translation in the fall of 1947. He described King Lear as 'quiet tragedy' in which love is the main victim.
In first edition the Duke of Albany expresses very dangerous idea for Stalin's era: 'Let's follow this shadow example Of longevity and long-suffering'. For second edition of translation appeared later in 1949 in Detgiz's edition Pasternak changed only the last two lines: the tragedy ended with the words: 'The old man got through it hard and inflexible. We will never be able to experience it'.
The script for Soviet drama film King Lear (1971), directed by Grigori Kozintsev, was based on Pasternak's translation.
Zakharenko, 1995. # 118.
OCLC locates only one copy of this edition, in the Houghton Library.

One of two first editions of Wells's The War That Will End War (1914) published in 1915 in Russia. The only edition of this translation. Signed and inscribed by the translator, an employee of the Petrograd Military Censorship Commission and staff captain Grigoriy Nazarov to colleague, lieutenant Medar: 'For lieutenant Medar, military censorship officer in the memory from the translator G. Nazarov 13/IX-16 Petrograd'. This inscript is the only one possibility to identify the translator who wasn't metioned in the edition.It was the only translation prepared by G. Nazarov. During The Great War he served in a fortress artillery regiment and was awarded the Order of Saint Anna (2nd class) in 1916. Wells published a number of articles in London newspapers immediately after the outbreak of the War, which destroyed the old life and open way for new advances. The book edition was issued in the same year. Wells was very popular in Russia, but as a fiction writer. However, this collection of articles about the… Read More

Translation by Boris Pasternak. Cover by N. Il'in.
Moskva, GIKhL, 1945.
Limited to 25 000 copies.
Second edition of Otello in Pasternak's translation.
First edition was glassprinting and unofficial, limited to 300 copies. It's practically unobtainable.
This translation was intended for production in the Small Theatre [Malyi Theatre] in Moscow, 'which put spurs to me and hurried up'. Pasternak finished the translation in July 1944. Olga Freudenberg, philologist and Pasternak's cousin, wrote that he translated Othello 'not only in Russian language, but on the meaning of language'. Nevertheless Pasternak translated Othello 'against his will': 'It seems to me former member of family... and I'm terrible simplify it'. In a scene where Othello stifles Desdemona, Pasternak added the remark 'poniard her'.
Zakharenko, 1995. # 115.
OCLC locates two copies in UK at University of Cambridge and University of Birmingham.

Leningrad, Khudozhestvennaya literatura, 1937.Limited to 10 300 copies.First and only edition of the translation.
Second and last Forster's life-time book in Russian.
Very rare.First it was issued by privately-owned publishing house in 1926 by translator Lidiya Nekrasova (was arrested during Grate Purge and died in prison). Our copy is from the edition of second translation appeared in the State publishing company in 1937. The edition has no any preface or comments. The novel was translated by Vasiliy Isakov. Not so much known about his days and works. Probably, he prepared his translation occasionally.
Forster's novels were not widely known in Russia earlier and still a few people know his books. Though in 2017 the third new translation of Passage to India printed in Moscow.In June 1935 Forster participated in the International Congress for the Defense of Culture in Paris, where he talked about communism as a hope for the future. Later, Forster was impressed by Andre Gide's Back from the U.S.S.R.… Read More

Translation - A. Scherbakov.
Foreword - Ju. Kagarlicky.
M. Miturich - illustrations.
Moskva, Khudozhestvennaya literatura, 1977.
Limited to 30.000 copies.
First book edition of this translation of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. The translation of Through the Looking-Glass appeared in juvenile journal Koster (Bonfire) in 1969 (# 3-7).
The one and only publication of beautiful illustrations of Mai Miturich.
Aleksander Scherbakov (1932-1994) was the engineer by profession, but the translator and writer on calling. He translated also into Russian books by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Charles Dickens, Rudyard Kipling, Edgar Poe. Scherbakov got European SF Award Eurocon for his book Shift in 1983 (that year the Best Author award got Christopher Priest).
Julii Kagarlicky (1926-2000) – critic, editor and the leading Russian H.G. Wells scholar.
Mai Miturich (Miturich-Khlebnikov, 1925-2008) was Russian artist and book illustrator. He was born to Russian artists Petr Miturich and vera Khlebnikova, sister of… Read More

First appearance of Anthony and Cleopatra in Afanasy Fet's translation (54-208 pp.).
Afanasy Fet (1820-1892) a poet, memoirist and the leading representative of the 'Parnassian' movement which propagated the ideals of 'pure' art. Fet's poetry was devoted to the topics of nature and love and was far away from any political and social issues. Apart from his lyrics, he was an important translator from German French, English, Latin and Polish. He devoted much time and effort to the translation of works by Schiller, Byron, Goethe, Schopenhauer, Musset, etc. In his translations, Fet made a consistent attempt to reproduce the literal meaning and to secure the formal elements of the original for which he was often criticized by his contemporaries. Fet was awarded a prestigious Pushkin prize for his translations of Horace in 1883 (Russian Writers on Translation. An anthology. Ed. by Brian Kames Baer and Natalia Olshanskaya. London and New York: Routledge, 2014. P. 47).
The poet translated two Shakespeare's… Read More

Translation by Yu. Nagibin and E. Gippius.
Preface by Yu. Nagibin.
Signed and inscribed by the translator: "Dorogomu / Tole / ot Dzhoni i Yury / Nagibin / Tolkien / 1988" [To my dear Tolya from Johnny and Yura. Nagibin. Tolkien. 1988].
First book edition of Smith of Wootton Major into Russian.
The first Russian translation of Tolkien's work was an excerpt from The Hobbit, which appeared in the Angliia magazine in 1969. The first complete edition of The Hobbit was not published until 1976.
The translation of Smith of Wootton Major was first published in Pioner magazine in 1987 (issue #2) and as a book the following year. The book was co-translated and signed by one of the most prolific Soviet writers and screenwriters, Yuri Nagibin (1920–1994). Nagibin also co-wrote the screenplay for the Soviet-Japanese movie Dersu Uzala, which won an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film in 1976.
In the preface to Smith of Wootton Major, Nagibin unexpectedly mentioned the Chernobyl disaster and compared the story's… Read More

Fine illustrated edition of The Cricket on the Hearth (1845) in Russian.
One of 4 000 copies published.
For the first time this translation appeared in Dickens's Collected works (St. Petersburg, vol. 7, 1894). Our edition doesn't contain the translator's name. Cover, headpieces, endpieces and five full-page woodcuts by graphic artist Aleksey Kravchenko (1889–1940). He is considered a master of woodcut. He studied at Simon Hollosy's art school in Munich and at the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture under Konstantin Korovin and Valentin Serov. He was a member of the Four Arts Society of Artists. For the first time Russian artists illustrated Dickens' works in the end of the XIX century. In the 20s of the XX century new generation of the Russian graphic artists, avant-garde minds, came back to Dickens and prepared illustrated editions of Great expectations (Mitrokhin and Budogoskii, 1929 and 1935), Hard times (Favorsky, 1933), The posthumous papers of the Pickwick club (Milashevsky… Read More

Second edition of rare Russian translation. Lifetime edition.
First Russian edition of Sons and Lovers (1913) was issued in Leningrad in 1927. Translation was prepared by poet and writer Nikolay Chukovsky (1904-1965), the son of Korney Chukovsky, one of the most popular Russian children's poets. This talented translation is practically unknown nowadays. In 1929 Chukovsky's version was reprinted in Riga without the translator's name as a pirate edition. In 1999 Sons and Lovers was selected by the Modern Library 'as one of the 100 best novels in English of the 20th century'.
There is no information about this edition in The Reception of D.H. Lawrence in Europe (Edited by C. Jansohn and D. Mehl. Continuum, 2007).
OCLC locates two copies of this edition: in the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the University of Alberta Libraries.

Moskva, Tip. Avgusta Semena, 1827.The one and only edition of the poem The Lord of the Isles by Walter Scott (1771-1832) in Russian. Translated as prose. The original poem was published in 1815. This poem is about the national hero of Scotland Robert the Bruce. He headed the First War of Scottish Independence against England and was a King of Scots from 1306 till 1329. In the poem he was into an exile and sought an asylum with Ronald, Lord of the Isles. Robert appeared on the day of the wedding feast and the party broke up. The guests divided into two camps : one ready to raise him to the Scottish crown and others ready to kill him. This edition was printed in one of the best printing house in Moscow. Owner of printing house was a Frenchman, publisher and typographer Avgust Semen.Very rare.Levidova, #249.We couldn't trace any copy of the edition in USA, two copies are in Europe, in Cambridge University Library and in Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale Vittorio Emanuele II in Rome.
Please be advised that… Read More

One of 10 300 copies published.First and only edition of the translation. First Butler's book in Russian.
Firstly The Way of All Flesh, a semi-autobiographical novel by Samuel Butler (1835-1902), was published posthumously in 1903. Russian edition was signed for printing on 23 April 1938. Four month later Petr Guber (1886-1940), writer and 'one of the best Leningrad translators', who prepared this book, was arrested and died in prison. That's why his name was forgotten and disappeared from the title page. The translator stayed anonymous until 1967. New Russian translation appeared only in 2009. Book design and powerful frontispiece were created by Jewish graphic artist and writer Tamara Tsinberg (1908-1977). She studied at VKhUTEMAS under Vladimir Favorsky, a key figure for Russian graphic design of the XXth century. In 1998 The Way of All Flesh was selected by the Modern Library 'as one of the 100 best novels of all time'. Butler's novel also influenced George Orwell. The writer called it 'a great… Read More