Search Results: Illustrated books 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

Second edition [of this design].Poems about clocks from Russian poetess Elizaveta Polonskaia (1890-1969) - member of The Serapion Brothers group (look Leslie Dorfman Davis, Serapion Sister: The Poetry of Elizaveta Polonskaja. Evanston, IL, 2001). Wolfgang Kasack wrote that her poetry is 'clear and beautiful'. In 20s she worked as a translator into Russian, f.e. works of Shakespeare. The illustrations made by Nikolai Lapshin (1888-1942) one of the main artist of Leningrad school who started as futurist and rayonist. He was a member of Unblood murder group (with Vera Ermolaeva, Mikhaïl Le Dentu and Iliazd) and Union of the Youth (together with Olga Rozanova, Kazimir Malevitch, Pavel Filonov, Vladimir Tatlin etc.). Lapshin was one of the few Russian artists who worked for Limited Edition Club. He prepared watercolor illustrations for Marco Polo edition published in 1934. He died in besieged Leningrad. The first edition of the poem Chasy published in 1925 with different illustrations and cover. In… Read More

First edition of these illustrations.
The book consists of two fairy tales. The first tale is Cuckoo, a Nenets story portraying a mother who transforms into a cuckoo due to her children's neglect. The second tale is Aioga, a Nanai story depicting a beautiful girl who becomes so enamored with her own reflection that she ultimately transforms into a goose.The translation and editing of Cuckoo were accomplished by Mikhail Voskoboinikov (1912-1979), a folklorist and specialist in Northern Peoples. In 1952, he was arrested and endured two and a half years in a labor camp. Upon his release, Voskoboinikov taught at the Leningrad State Pedagogical Institute, translated Russian literature into the Evenki language, and compiled a collection of literature and folklore from Northern peoples in Russian translation. The adaptation of Aioga was skillfully crafted by Dmitry Nagishkin (1909-1961), a renowned writer, journalist, and author known for his specialization in Amur fairy tales. The illustrations in the book… Read More

The author of the book artist Boris Kreitser (1905- 1979) studied ar VKhUTEMAS. He was sentenced to death during Great Purge but escape execution. After returning to Leningrad he continued illustrate books. This edition is quite uncommon for that time. It was total prepared by the artist, selection of poems, vignettes, letters. We can find five anti-Soviet verses there, if noticed all verses without vignettes.

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

There is first publication of Boris Kustodiev's illustrations to Gogol's stories Koliaska [The Carriage] and Shinel ' [The Overcoat]. These illustrations is called 'narrative' as they complete Gogol's text. The best Russian publishing house of that time, Expedition of making of state papers, ordered them to Kustodiev in 1905 , but unfortunately the edition never appeared in such quality.Kustodiev created series of drawings for each page after page with text and gave original interpretations. The scenes from provincial life to The Carriage show Kustodiev's irony. In his illustrations to The Overcoat he tried to follow text as close as possible.Next time illustrations were published in 1946 and 1949. Original drawings keep by The State Russian museum and by The Institution of Russian Literature. Boris Kustodiev studied in Art Academy by Il'ia Repin. He was a member of World of Arts movement. There are works of artists N. Geradov, A. Roman, D. Gavril'tsev to Maiskaia noch ' [May Night, or the Drowned… Read More

The pamphlet of Esfir' Emden (1905-1961) was the answer to black public relation campaign against Russian butter in the English market. The campaign started in January 1931, and to the end of this year nearly five hundreds articles about small bug founded in Russian butter in UK appeared in English and Australian newspapers. Until 1931 Russian butter had a monopoly on English market. After campaign the market was opened to Australian companies. Kukryniksy was a collective name of three caricaturists Mikhail Kupriyanov, Porfiri Krylov and Nikolai Sokolov. They studied VKhUTEMAS and became famous for their political and war-time cartoons. OCLC locates two copies in USA only, in Princeton University and in University of Chicago.

In original illustrated wrappers. Near good condition, slightly won to the edges. One of 150 000 copies printed. The main characters of this funny verse (close to cumulative tale) are boy Mishka, who is afraid of mouse, cat, who is afraid of dog Kroshka, and mouse, who is afraid of cat. The book was designed by a graphic artist, children's book illustrator and poster artist Alexandra Soborova (1882-1935). She studied at the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture and worked in Mirimanov publishing house. We couldn't trace any copy of this edition in USA or European libraries via OCLC.

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 150 000 copies printed.This new version of Russian folktale is devoted to old woman, her hen and other animals who live in her fam. The verse is created as cumulative tale. Illustrations were prepared by a sculptor, author of Aleksandr Griboedov monument in Moscow, Appolon Manuilov (1894-1973).

This book, comprising two stories, was written by Dukenbai Doszhanov (1942-2013), a Kazakh writer, journalist, and editor. Probably, it was first published in Russian in 1974.The first story, Good Old Granddad Beknur, follows a young man on a journey across the vast steppe. Along the way, he stops at a solitary yurt and encounters an old shepherd whom he remembers from his childhood. The story concludes with the poignant realization that there is nothing more precious to a person than their homeland and the countryside.In the second story, The Little Jockey, we delve into the protagonist's childhood. Dalabai, who has been racing horses since the tender age of six, is now ten years old and entrusted with riding Kerkiik to defend the honor of the entire district of Karatau. Dalabai embarks on the race of his life, determined to prove himself worthy of his esteemed ancestors. Ultimately, he earns the admiration of his father, who proudly declares, "You are a worthy son of your great forefathers!"In 1979,… Read More

The book focuses on Mei Lanfang (1894-1961), a prominent male interpreter of female roles and the phenomena of modern Chinese theater. Mei, often referred to as the "Queen of Peking Opera," played a pioneering role in introducing Beijing Opera to foreign countries, engaging in cultural exchanges with Japan, the United States, and other regions. He embarked on global tours, forging friendships with influential figures in the Western entertainment industry, including the likes of Charlie Chaplin. During his visit to North America in 1930, Mei even had the opportunity to explore Hollywood, where he was warmly received by renowned stars such as Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford. This booklet includes several articles such as a biographical sketch, "Some Aspects of Chinese Theatrical Art" by P.C. Chang, a professor at Nankai University, an abbreviated article about the artist by a theater critic for the New York Times Stark Young, "The Character Types and the Chinese Stage", and "Some Outstanding… Read More

First edition of this translation and these illustrations. First Carême's Russian book.
This poem, written by Maurice Carême (1899-1978), a Belgian francophone poet, made its debut in 1947. The translation work was undertaken by Mikhail Kudinov (1922-1994). In 1948, during his tenure as a student at the philology faculty of Moscow State University, he was accused for engaging in anti-Soviet activities, leading to his incarceration in a camp. After his release in 1954, Kudinov resumed his studies and went on to establish himself as a significant translator of works by renowned figures such as Arthur Rimbaud and Guillaume Apollinaire, as well as various other classical and contemporary French poets.The book's design was created by the distinguished children's book illustrator, Fyodor Lemkul (1914-1995). It is plausible that the artistic style and thematic elements of the illustrations bear a connection to the 6th World Festival of Youth and Students, held in Moscow in 1957, which marked the inaugural… Read More

Two-color lithographed edition.The post-war edition of teaching children music literacy.Natalia Konchalovskaia (1903-1988) famous Soviet writer and translator, author of popular children's books. Her father was the artist Petr Konchalovskii, and the grandfather – prominent Russian artist Vasilii Surikov. Her sons - Andrei Konchalovsky and Nikita Mikhalkov are famous film directors. Innokentii Shaposhnikov (Proskuriakov, Kesha 1901- 1960) – Russian illustrator. He worked under pseudonym because he was born in a wealthy merchant family probably. Shaposhnikov was trying to avoid interest of the authorities. During WWII the artist created a number of children anti-fascist books published in provincial town Nalchik. The songs was taken from the book Piano ABC by professor Elena Gnesina (1874-1967). She was one of the founders of the famous music school in Moscow, The Gnessin State Musical College. OCLC locates two copies of early edition of 1946 only: one copy in Germany and one copy in USA.

The fifteenth anniversary edition for GOELRO plan (*State Commission for Electrification of Russia*). The Plan included construction of a network of 30 regional power plants, including ten large hydroelectric power plants, and numerous electric-powered large industrial enterprises. Two folded plates are facsimile of Lenin's letters.The book looks like other important Stalinist editions: stamped hardback, folded plates etc. Construction of Lenin's cult of personality began while he was still alive. It is stopped by 1931 definitive when The Lenin Institute changed the title. It was started the construction of Stalin's cult of personality. If the publication was dedicated to Lenin it as necessary to notice a big role of Stalin. These books were censored after de-Stalinization, portraits of Stalin and other attributes of cult were cut off. Nikolai Sedel'nikov (1905-1994) was one of principal book and graphic designers in Soviet Russia. In 30s he made sober and former stalinist editions. He studied in… Read More

Sedel'nikov N. - book design.One of several editions of this Stalin's report but really unusual illustrated. XVII Party Congress nicknamed The Congress of the Victors due to the economic successes of The First FiveYear Plan, and also it was named The Congress of the Condemned. 1,996 party members which attended Congress, 1,108 members were arrested later, about two thirds of those executed within next three years. The chief designer for illustrations in this edition is Isaak Brodsky (1883-1939) - one of the founder of socialist realism movement.A lot of plates inside, mostly made by Nikolai Kochergin (1897-1974) - master of Soviet realistic political posters. Book design by Nikolai Sedel'nikov (1905-1994) who was one of principal book and graphic designers in Soviet Russia. In 30s he made sober and former Stalinist editions. He studied in VKhUTEMAS, where he was a pupil of Rodchenko, Lissitzky and Tatlin, worked together with Gustav Klutsis and Solomon Telingater. He was one of the pioneers of new… 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.

Limited to 6000 copies.In 1928 a Soviet icebreakers Malygin and Krassin took part in the rescue operation of the Umberto Nobile's dirigible expedition. This book includes essays about the expedition by the crew members: the leaders of expedition Vladimir Wiese and Alexey Lavrov, the polar aviator Mikhail Babushkin, the meteorologist Mikhail Loris-Melikov (in 1934 was arrested and died in prison), the cameraman Ignatiy Valentei, the captain Dmitriy Chertkov, etc. The book is illustrated with many photos from the expedition.Provenance: Emiliy Mindlin (1900-1981), poet and journalist.OCLC locates two copies of this edition in the USA: in the Yale University Library and the Stanford University Library.The Bavarian State Library has one more copy.

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