Moscow, Gossudarstvennoe Izdatel'stvo, 1924
Inscribed by Stalin to Demian Bednyi. An incredibly scarce presentation copy, inscribed by Stalin to one of the most famous poets of the Soviet Union, Demian Bednyi. Works inscribed by Stalin are of the utmost rarity.
Demian Bednyi was born Efim Pridvorov in 1883 and was an early supporter of communism having witnessed the 1905 revolution whilst studying at university in St Petersburg. He contributed to the socialist press from 1911, and adopted the pseudonym Demian Benyi [Demian The Poor]. In 1912 he joined the Bolshevik party and began to correspond with Lenin, the pair later became close friends. It wasn't until the Revolution of 1917 that his pithy style of poetry and satirical propaganda really came into its own, with his pamphlets widely distributed to Red Army soldiers during the Civil War. Trotsky wrote of Bednyi that he 'did not move literature forward by as much as an inch; but with the help of literature he helped move the revolution forward'.
By 1923, Bednyi had become incredibly popular both with the masses and high ranking Soviet officials who decorated him with the Order of the Red Banner. It was also at this time that he moved in to his own apartment in the Kremlin, the only writer to do so and which gave him the unofficial title of 'court poet'. Stalin and Bednyi were therefore neighbours and they used to borrow books from each other's extensive libraries, although Bednyi complained that Stalin would get greasy finger marks all over the books he borrowed. The two were very fond of each other, as the inscription for this book exemplifies, 'Drugu i soratniku |Demiany Bednimu | ot avtora | 22/V/24' [To my friend and comrade in arms | Demiam Bednyi | from the author | 22/V/24].
Bednyi's unapologetically crude style which had helped him garner so much traction also led to his demise. Stalin criticised him for his lack of respect and uncouthness and evicted him from the Kremlin in 1932 for debauched behaviour (and allegedly because Bednyi had complained of Stalin's greasy finger marks on his books). His slanderous treatment of Russian history and his satirical perversion of the introduction of Christianity in ancient Rus led to his exclusion from the Communist party in 1938. He did, however, not fall victim to the purges and was semi-rehabilitated during WWII, his victory poem appeared in Pravda on 3rd May and he died two weeks later.
During Krushchev's Thaw he regained popularity, with the Soviet leader declaring him his favourite poet. He was perhaps the closest thing to a living legend at the height of his poetic power and rode the wave of Soviet history for his own benefit. Trotsky wrote that was 'not a poet, not an artist, but a versifier, an agitator who rhymed but in very powerful fashion'.
This is the first edition of Stalin's book on Lenin and Leninism which in itself is rare and is inscribed just shortly after Lenin's death. A revised and updated edition was published in 1935 with a cover designed by Rodchenko.
First edition, 8vo (22.2 x 15cm); presentation copy, inscribed in ink on the title-page; original printed wrappers, spine strengthened, a very good copy.
Demian Bednyi was born Efim Pridvorov in 1883 and was an early supporter of communism having witnessed the 1905 revolution whilst studying at university in St Petersburg. He contributed to the socialist press from 1911, and adopted the pseudonym Demian Benyi [Demian The Poor]. In 1912 he joined the Bolshevik party and began to correspond with Lenin, the pair later became close friends. It wasn't until the Revolution of 1917 that his pithy style of poetry and satirical propaganda really came into its own, with his pamphlets widely distributed to Red Army soldiers during the Civil War. Trotsky wrote of Bednyi that he 'did not move literature forward by as much as an inch; but with the help of literature he helped move the revolution forward'.
By 1923, Bednyi had become incredibly popular both with the masses and high ranking Soviet officials who decorated him with the Order of the Red Banner. It was also at this time that he moved in to his own apartment in the Kremlin, the only writer to do so and which gave him the unofficial title of 'court poet'. Stalin and Bednyi were therefore neighbours and they used to borrow books from each other's extensive libraries, although Bednyi complained that Stalin would get greasy finger marks all over the books he borrowed. The two were very fond of each other, as the inscription for this book exemplifies, 'Drugu i soratniku |Demiany Bednimu | ot avtora | 22/V/24' [To my friend and comrade in arms | Demiam Bednyi | from the author | 22/V/24].
Bednyi's unapologetically crude style which had helped him garner so much traction also led to his demise. Stalin criticised him for his lack of respect and uncouthness and evicted him from the Kremlin in 1932 for debauched behaviour (and allegedly because Bednyi had complained of Stalin's greasy finger marks on his books). His slanderous treatment of Russian history and his satirical perversion of the introduction of Christianity in ancient Rus led to his exclusion from the Communist party in 1938. He did, however, not fall victim to the purges and was semi-rehabilitated during WWII, his victory poem appeared in Pravda on 3rd May and he died two weeks later.
During Krushchev's Thaw he regained popularity, with the Soviet leader declaring him his favourite poet. He was perhaps the closest thing to a living legend at the height of his poetic power and rode the wave of Soviet history for his own benefit. Trotsky wrote that was 'not a poet, not an artist, but a versifier, an agitator who rhymed but in very powerful fashion'.
This is the first edition of Stalin's book on Lenin and Leninism which in itself is rare and is inscribed just shortly after Lenin's death. A revised and updated edition was published in 1935 with a cover designed by Rodchenko.
First edition, 8vo (22.2 x 15cm); presentation copy, inscribed in ink on the title-page; original printed wrappers, spine strengthened, 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.
