Paris, Zerna, 1920
The scarce first edition of Mikhail Tsetlin's collection of poems, Transparent Forms, wonderfully illustrated by Goncharova. Tsetlin, known by his pseudonym Amari had set up the Zerna publishing house in 1915 and worked closely with other émigrés at the time such as Ilya Ehrenburg and Ivan Lebedev. The aim was to publish books where the author and artist worked together in a holistic approach of design, much like the radical futurist groups had been doing in Moscow since 1909. Unlike her earlier futurist works, this edition is reflective of Goncharova's Paris years where folk motifs and natural forms are predominant.
The present example is in the scarce pictorial wrappers which mimic the 'transparent shadows' of the title, as opposed to the much plainer variation.
First edition, limited edition, one of 1000 copies on Vergé d'Arche, this unnumbered; 8vo (21 x 16 cm); title, frontispiece, head and tail-pieces and initials illustrated in black and red after Goncharova, upper flyleaf stained, otherwise internally fresh; publisher's pictorial wrappers, skilful repairs to spine, yapp edges worn, a very good copy.
The present example is in the scarce pictorial wrappers which mimic the 'transparent shadows' of the title, as opposed to the much plainer variation.
First edition, limited edition, one of 1000 copies on Vergé d'Arche, this unnumbered; 8vo (21 x 16 cm); title, frontispiece, head and tail-pieces and initials illustrated in black and red after Goncharova, upper flyleaf stained, otherwise internally fresh; publisher's pictorial wrappers, skilful repairs to spine, yapp edges worn, a very good copy.
About us
Shapero Rare Books is an internationally renowned dealer in antiquarian & rare books and works on paper.
Our Bookshop and Gallery can be found in the heart of Mayfair at 106 New Bond Street, where most of our stock is available to view and on public display.
We exhibit at major international art fairs, including TEFAF (Maastricht and New York), Frieze Masters, Art Miami and Masterpiece London, as well as antiquarian & rare book fairs including New York, Paris, London, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Hong Kong.
