Баржа. Cказка/ Barzha. Skazka (The Barge. A Fairy Tale)

Москва (Moscow): И. Кнебел (I. Knebel), 1913. First edition. Softcover. vg. Large Quarto. Unpaginated [10 pages]. Chromolithographic illustrated wrappers, in yellow black and red, and with black and white lettering on the front cover.

This scarce work is a Russian translation of the children's fairy tale, Pråmen (The Barge) by Swedish writer Richard Gustafsson (1840-1918), with chromolithographic illustrations by Russian artist Dimitry Mitrohin (1883-1973). The story is told by an animate barge (sailing vessel), recounting its voyages and adventures across the world. The work was originally published in 1877, as part of Gustafsson's third collection of fairy tales (Sagor: Tredje Samlingen). Here Mitrohin provides beautifully printed art nouveau- inspired chromolithographs to accompany the text, ranging from smaller historiated initials and tailpieces to nearly full page images. All images containing the artist's signature, at the corner. Pages printed on textured paper. A previous owner has some bibliographic information about the the content into German, handwritten in ink on small sheets of lined paper, laid in. This is one of hundreds of Russian children's works published during the period by the acclaimed art publisher Joseph (Iosif) Knebel (1854-1926). This work is one 9 books illustrated by Mitrohin from the Knebel "Gift Series", published in 1906-1918.

Text in Russian.

Wrappers with some minor foxing to the front cover and some light water stains to the back cover. Interior with a few instances of minor to light water stains, mostly relegated to the margins, with all text and images clean and vibrant. Wrappers and interior in very good condition overall. Alternate transliteration: Mitrokhin

Bibliographic References: Lurie No. 036, Rats No. 35, Univerg, p. 334, Seslavinsky, M.V. Garland of books and pictures No. 128.

Dimitry Mitrohin (1883-1973) was a prominent Russian illustrator, graphic designer, master engraver, teacher, and art critic. He artistic education included studying at the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture as well as the Stroganov Art School, and studying drawing under art Nouveau figures such as Eugène Grasset and Théophile Steinlen, in Paris.