Skip to content
AUTHENTICITY GUARANTEED | EXPERT ADVICE
AUTHENTICITY GUARANTEED

Gorod. Stikhi. [The City. Poems].

Stock Code 112818

Paris, For the author, 1920

Original price £12,500.00 - Original price £12,500.00
Original price £0.00
£12,500.00
£12,500.00 - £12,500.00
Current price £12,500.00
One of 25 copies on Chine. A fine copy this masterpiece of the Russian avant-garde.

Number 4 of the tirage de tête of only 25 copies on china paper, preserved in a binding by Monique Mathieu, M. Mélin and H. Jolis. The book is particularly remarkable for the wealth of Goncharova's illustrations (more than 50), and it is entirely printed in lithograph.

The illustrations for Gorod address modern subjects such as workers, machines and factories and provide a dynamic urban background to the text. The poems are printed in facsimile manuscript which was popular amongst Russian poets at the time as they felt it honestly conveyed their inner feelings.

The cityscapes and backdrops show an evolution from Goncharova's earlier book illustrations to a theatrical lyricism which was undoubtedly linked to her work as a stage designer for the Ballets Russes.

Alexander Rubakin (1889-1979), poet and journalist, was arrested in 1906 for distributing revolutionary literature. A year later he emigrated from Russia and settled in France where he regularly submitted articles to such magazines as 'New Magazine for Everyone', 'Russian Treasure', 'Russian Though' etc. In 1944 Rubakin returned to the USSR.

First edition, limited edition, one of 25 copies on vieux chine, this copy being number 4; 8vo (26 x 16 cm); 52 illustrations after Goncharova, 9 of which are full-page, pages uncut and partly unopened; original printed wrappers, minor creasing, an excellent copy; full dark red calf, flat spine lettered in black, covers with various leathers and snake skin laid-in or in relief, leather doublure of same colour, endleaves in black reversed leather, mounted on tabs, calf-spine jacket and slipcase, by Mathieu, Mélin and Jolis in 1991, a fine copy.

Hellyer 457.
Provenance
Delivery

We offer secure and express delivery on all local and international orders of rare books, maps and prints placed through this website.

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.

Read more

Ask us a question

Gorod. Stikhi. [The City. Poems].

GONCHAROVA, Natalia (illustrator); RUBAKIN, Alexander.

Stock code: 112818

£12,500.00

THE BOND STREET EXPERIENCE

An exceptional experience in the heart of London’s Mayfair for not only seasoned collectors but those considering purchasing their first rare book or print.

Guaranteed Authenticity
GUARANTEED AUTHENTICITY
International Delivery
INTERNATIONAL DELIVERY
Meet Our Booksellers
MEET OUR BOOKSELLERS
Free Gift Wrapping
FREE GIFT WRAPPING

BOOK COLLECTING IDEAS

Your cart is empty

Continue shopping

Basket