[v] Zhurnal Moskva No.11 (1966) & No.1 (1967) [Master and Margarita [in] Moskva Magazine].
Soyuz pisateley, Moskva, 1966-67.
A fine example of the very first publication in any format of one of the most important Russian novels of the twentieth century.
Scarce, exceptionally so in this condition.
Having started in 1928, Bulgakov burned the manuscript in 1930, only to re-write and revise it for the next ten years until 1938. In common with most of Bulgakov's prose it was not published until long after his death from an inherited kidney disorder in 1940. During his life, Bulgakov was best known for the plays he contributed to Konstantin Stanislavsky's and Nemirovich-Danchenko's Moscow Art Theatre. He published a number of novels and stories through the early and mid 1920s, but by 1927 his career began to suffer from criticism that he was too anti-Soviet. By 1929 his career was ruined: government censorship prevented publication of any of his work and staging of any of his plays, and Stalin personally forbade him to emigrate.
This first printing of his best known work is a censored version of the text, eliminating much of the anti-Soviet satire, yet it still caused an immediate sensation on publication. The full text could only be published abroad.
Two issues in two volumes large 8vo (25.6 x 17 cm). 223 pp, with 8 pp. of illustrations in colour; 224 pp., with 2 pp. of illustrations in colour.
Original printed wrappers, kept in a modern black cloth box.
Scarce, exceptionally so in this condition.
Having started in 1928, Bulgakov burned the manuscript in 1930, only to re-write and revise it for the next ten years until 1938. In common with most of Bulgakov's prose it was not published until long after his death from an inherited kidney disorder in 1940. During his life, Bulgakov was best known for the plays he contributed to Konstantin Stanislavsky's and Nemirovich-Danchenko's Moscow Art Theatre. He published a number of novels and stories through the early and mid 1920s, but by 1927 his career began to suffer from criticism that he was too anti-Soviet. By 1929 his career was ruined: government censorship prevented publication of any of his work and staging of any of his plays, and Stalin personally forbade him to emigrate.
This first printing of his best known work is a censored version of the text, eliminating much of the anti-Soviet satire, yet it still caused an immediate sensation on publication. The full text could only be published abroad.
Two issues in two volumes large 8vo (25.6 x 17 cm). 223 pp, with 8 pp. of illustrations in colour; 224 pp., with 2 pp. of illustrations in colour.
Original printed wrappers, kept in a modern black cloth box.
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