The Russian Story Book

The Russian Story Book, 1916, 1st Edition. Tales from songs of Kiev and Novgorod, retold by Richard Wilson. Beautifully illustrated with full-page color plates by F.C. Papé, and color and black-and-white drawings throughout. Published by Macmillan & Co, London. Red and gilt cloth boards, 308 pages, 8.5" x 7.5" (8vo).
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Condition of the book is Good-: front free endpaper (blank first page) has heavy foxing (see photo) and gift inscription dated 1921. Binding is somewhat loosened but solid. Interior pages and plates intact and bright.

Volume is RARE; this appears to be the only copy currently available worldwide. The Papé art plates are striking and are widely known and discussed. See complete .jpg versions available at https://www.enchantedbooklet.com/the-russian-story-book/.

"I have gone right into the heart of "Holy Russia," to Kiev and Novgorod and the borders of the Caspian, in an endeavour to show by means of some of the early legends the ideals and point of view of the Russian nation while it was in the process of being made. The stories of the song-cycles of Kiev and Novgorod tell of a barbaric, though not a barbarian, world, full of high colour and spirited action, of the knock-down blow followed quickly by the hand of friendship freely extended to pick up the fallen foeman--if indeed he has had the hardihood to survive." (from the author)

About the illustrator: "With the publication of the limited illustrated edition of Jurgen in 1921, Frank C. Papé became an overnight success. James Branch Cabell's 1919 novel was censored in New York on moral grounds and, of course, became the author's most famous work to date. (The book was cleared in 1922 when it was found that the erotic symbolism could only be detected by the sophisticated reader...) Papé's illustrations were reproduced for the plates and b&w for the images within the text. The plates debuted a new style and a device he was to use to great effect for years: an illustrated border below the main image." (from www.bpib.com)

We will ship USPS Priority Mail with added insurance. For international shipping, please contact us for a quote. If you have any questions about this or any of our books, feel free to contact us and/or request additional photos.

Who are we: This is among the first listings for "Nana's Top Shelf," a collection of first editions and other fine volumes collected over a lifetime from estate sales and booksellers across the East Coast and Europe. The collection specializes in late 19th and early 20th century illustrated children's books, fairy tales and folklore.