Vasnetsov Viktor Aleksandr Pushkin (4 results)

In the larger and rarer format --- Impressive and scarce edition, of large folio format, of this famous work by the two Russian classics. Viktor Vasnetsov's design for The Song of Wise Oleg "served as an impetus to the revival and further development of national traditions in book art" (Fedorova, our translation): styled as an ancient Russian manuscript, the book unfolds like an accordion, telling the tragic story of prince Oleg. Vasnetsov created decorative initials, head- and endpieces, along with four chromolithographed drawings: 'Meeting with the Wizard', 'Farewell to the Horse', 'He Stepped on the Skull of the Horse', 'Trizna' (a funeral feast). The font, resembling early Cyrillic script, was designed by book artist Viktor Zamirailo. The work was published in quarto format in St Petersburg in 1899 to commemorate Aleksandr Pushkin's centenary. This second edition, issued during World War I, is significantly rarer and in a much larger format, with a redesigned upper wrapper. Provenance: Physical description:Large folio (48 x 34 cm). [6] ll. incl. 4 colour plates tipped-in and wrappers. Accordion-style publisher's printed wrappers. Condition:A bit stained and cockled from waterstaining along edges throughout, occasional light foxing, still a pleasant example in spite of the vulnerability of the production. Bibliography:

First Edition. First printing with the Vasnetsov illustrations. Quarto (33cm x 23cm ca.); accordion-style binding, opening to an eight-page panorama; printed in black and red throughout, with chromolithographed head- and tail-pieces and four chromolithographed text illustrations. Slight soil and wear; brief splits at folds; internally fresh and unmarked, with the illustrations still fresh and vividly colored; Very Good or better overall. A lavishly-illustrated work, published to celebrate the centenary of Pushkin's birth. Vasnetsov (1848-1926) was a key figure among Russian Silver Age illustrators, a strong influence on such successors as Ivan Bilibin, Boris Zvorikin, and Mikhail Vrubel. The illustrations for this work ".are exemplary for Vasnetsov's intense national style that soon would become visible in the works of Ivan Bilibin and other artist-illustrators.it would be difficult in this period of nationalistic revival to find a more talented and committed artist" (Lemmens p.48). The illustrations, printed at the State Dispatch Office in St. Petersburg, are rendered here in brilliant chromolithography, as are the ornamental initials and head- and tail-pieces by Viktor Zamira?lo. A large-paper reissue appeared later (ca. 1914) under the Moscow imprint of A.A. Levenson; all editions are uncommon, especially in such nice condition. LEMMENS pp.47-48 (pictured).

Memorial edition on the occassion of the 100th birthday of A. S. Puschkin, leporello, 8 printed pages, 4°, as a real curiosity, in a picture frame of 144 x 40 centimetres, behind glass, whereby the frame can easily be removed, the leporello book is in no way cut or fixed to the backside of the frame, and its condition is excellent, white paper, tremendous colours. Book Language/s: Russian.

Festgabe zum 100. Geburtstag von A. S. Puschkin, Leporello, insgesamt 8 bedruckte und unpaginierte Seiten, 2° (22,5 x 33 cm), erste und letzte Seite leicht angeschmutzt, Ecken ganz leicht berieben, insgesamt sehr guter Zustand. Book Language/s: Russian.