Search Results: Authors starting with S from Bookvica

Moscow: Rabotnik prosveshcheniya, 1923. 190, [1] pp., 4 leaves. of tables: sheet music and charts. In original wrappers with decorative frames. Spine and covers restored, some foxing, pencil underlinings occasionally, otherwise very good and clean copy. Extremely scarce first edition. One of 2 000 copies. One of the first Soviet studies of musical aspects of speech. The end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century in Russian poetry was characterized by the predominant state of the symbolist movement. Representatives of the trend, as well as their predecessors - romantics, conceived music as a particularly significant form of art. This interest towards music was dictated both by the feeling of the inner closeness of poetry and music, and by the intensity of the development of musical art at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries Russia. The intense dialogue between music and poetry, begun by the Symbolists, was taken up by the next generation, which, above all, paid specific attention to… Read More

[1968]. 38 pp. 21x15 cm. In original printed wrappers. Some soiling of wrappers, otherwise mint. Typewritten edition. A crucial essay written by the father of the Soviet hydrogen bomb, Andrei Sakharov (1921-1989). In 1975, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his opposition to the abuse of power and his work for human rights. Sakharov was inspired to write the essay after events of the Prague Spring, as well as a campaign in defense of condemned Ginzburg, Galanskov and Lashkova. It was originally conceived as an article about the role of intelligentsia in the modern world. "I took paper and a pen and set to work on an article (in early February). However, its topic soon changed and expanded... I wrote mainly at the facility, after work, from about 7 to 12 pm. The main idea of the article is that humanity has come to a critical moment in its history, when the dangers of thermonuclear destruction, ecological self-poisoning, famine and uncontrollable population explosion, dehumanization and dogmatic… Read More

Moscow: Tsentr. in-t san. prosveshcheniya, Obraztsovaya tipografiya Ogiza, 1943. 19 pp.: ill. 12,5x17 cm. In original illustrated publisher's wrappers. A stain on the front wrapper. Otherwise near fine. Scarce. First edition. Edited by M. M. Amshinsky. This extremely rare example of a photobook for children came out at the height of WWII and was written by the Russian writer Nina Sakonskaya (1896-1951). Published by the Central Institute of Health Education of the USSR, the edition is dedicated to the importance of hygiene and a healthy lifestyle. The book echoes the 'healthy body, healthy mind' propaganda active in the 1930s-1940s Soviet Union. The dynamic design of the photobook is complemented by black and white photographs and charming photomontages depicting Katya's adventures with teddy bears. The illustrations were created by the Soviet artists L. Zyuzin and V. Arnold. Katya u medvezhat was the second collaboration between Nina Sakonskaya and the artists, with the first being V gostyakh u… Read More

Moscow: Tip. tov-va I.D. Sytina, 1917. 16 pp. In original printed wrappers. Covers rubbed with small tears of the spine. Piece of a contemporary newspaper with new alphabet glued to the front cover. Owner's pencil markings in the text. First book on a new Russian orthography with rules of the spelling and grammar and a scientific explanation of the reform. Pavel Nikitich Sakulin (1868-1930) - Russian doctor of philology and literature, member of Academy of Sciences. He was one of initiators of the Russian orthography reform. The orthography committee was created by Academy of Sciences in 1904. Some of suggested changes were pretty radical. It is widely believed that Bolsheviks and their despotism were the reason of this reform. True that the decree of the reform was first published just two months after the October revolution but it was being prepared for many years by the best Russian linguists of the time. Nevertheless this reform became the symbol of change that Bolsheviks were bringing for the… Read More

Moscow: Molodaya gvardiya, 1965. 254, [2] pp., 1 portrait. Original illustrated cardboards. Very good. The first edition in Russian of The Catcher in the Rye which had first appeared in serial form in Inostrannaya Literatura five years earlier. As a devotee to the Kashkin school of translation, Rita Rait-Kovaleva attempted to convince the censors to allow her to include Holden's language, viewed the world over as obscene. The censor dismissed this outright. In consequence, Rait-Kovaleva made her translation more "literary" in tone. It remained the only authorized translation for the duration of the Soviet period. It is particularly interesting to note that this is only the third publication of Salinger's to include his portrait (the other two being the American first issue and first book club edition) as he famously demanded that all subsequent books of his must not portray him on the cover or include any reviews. An important and fascinating facet of the history of The Catcher in the Rye.

Tbilisi: Nakdauli, 1969. 373, [2] pp. ill., 8vo. Original cloth in good condition. No dust-jacket was printed. Several illustrations by T.Mirzashvili. The second edition of the first translation into Georgian of this collection of Salinger's stories. First printed in 1963 (earlier than the first Russian book edition) by the same publishing house. This remained the sole translation into Georgian till 2006 when an edition appeared by Gia Chumburidze. However, this first translation is still considered the standard and the book was re-published in 2011. Vakhtang Chelidze (1917-2005) was one of the main translators from English to Georgian after WWII. His first work was a translation of Romeo and Juliet in 1945. Later, he became the head of the important Georgian publishing house, "Sovetskaya Gruzia" ("Soviet Georgia").

Kyiv: Derzhavne vydavnytstvo: Chas, 1923. 270, [2] pp. 17,5x13 cm. In original printed wrappers. Fragment of back cover lost, small tears of spine and last leaf, trace of printing ink on front cover, otherwise very good and clean internally. First edition. Very rare in this condition. Early Soviet dictionary of Ukrainian words with explanations in Russian. The foreword in Ukrainian. In the early Soviet period, the increase in Ukrainian language publishing and the overall flourishing of Ukrainian cultural life was expansive. The number of Ukrainian newspapers, which almost didn't exist in 1922, had reached 373 out of 426, while only 3 all-republican large newspapers remained Russian. Of 118 magazines, 89 were Ukrainian. Ukrainization of book-publishing reached 83% (Wikipedia). Along with the promotion of Ukrainian arts and literature, scientific study of the language enjoyed a widespread revival. In particular, phonetics and grammar, history and dialectology of the Ukrainian language were brought to… Read More

Moscow; Leningrad: GIZ, 1930. 16 pp., including the wrappers. 16x13 cm. Original chromolithographed wrappers. Spine is slightly chipped, otherwise very good. First and only edition. Klavdia Afanasyevna Kozlova (1902-1966) received her education at Moscow VKHUTEMAS. Subsequently, she, along with a cohort of fellow graduates, became a part of the OST (Society of Easel Artists), which was established under the leadership of David Shtenberg. The OST artists were in opposition to AHRR (Association of Artists of Revolutionary Russia), which actively combated "formalism" while upholding the traditions of the Russian avant-garde. In contrast, the OST members, influenced by avant-garde artists and departing from pre-revolutionary realism, gravitated towards social realism in painting, incorporating techniques from European expressionism. Kozlova's artistic output deeply embraced the principles of the OST movement, and she was a member of the Isobrigade group from 1931 to 1932. Led by A.A. Deineka, as part of… Read More

Leningrad: Vses. arktich. in-t, 1934. 392 pp., 1 map: ill. 13.8x20.4 cm. In original publisher's cloth binding with lettering on the front board and the spine. Near fine. Scarce. Second extended edition. First edition published in 1917. Translated from original English by the Russian and American writer Zinaida Ragozina (1835/1838-1924). First Soviet edition of the tragic diaries written by one of the most famous arctic explorers in British history, Robert Scott (1868-1912). The beginning of the 20th century witnessed a full-scale competition between multiple countries to conquer Antarctica. In an effort to reach the destination first, numerous explorers organized expeditions to the South Pole either with their own finances or with the help of the government. Yet, none of the endeavors turned out to be as tragic as Robert Scott's failed journey to Antarctica in the early-1910s. The whaling ship Terra Nova left Cardiff, Wales in June 1910 and the expedition, under the leadership of the noted Royal… Read More

St. Petersburg: A. Golovachyov, 1866. [2], vi, [2], 503, [1], xii pp.: ill., 1 ill.  22x15 cm. With 1 folding engraved plate and 37 illustrations in text.  Contemporary half-leather binding.  Rubbings and occasional foxing, owner's signature on the title-page. Very good. First edition. One of the fundamental works by Ivan Sechenov (1829-1905) the teacher of Ivan Pavlov. In this book Sechenov emathised that not only anatomical approach to nervious system is important. For the first time Sechenov describes the mechanism of central inhibition in the brain. Rare in good condition.

St. Petersburg: A. Golovachov, 1866. [4], II, 186 pp. 8vo. Contemporary quarter-leather binding. The name of the author and the book title as well as owner's initials in gilt on the spine. Owner's private stamp on the title. Some side foxing on the first seven pages of the text and on the last five. The top of the spine has been restored. Overall copy is in good condition. Very rare. First edition of the ground-breaking work that established the basis of the Russian School of Physiology. Ivan Mikhailovich Sechenov (1829-1905) single-handedly created this field of Russian science, by introducing electrophysiology and neurophysiology into medical laboratories. This is one of the main works by Sechenov. Originally an article with the same name was to be printed in Sovremennik, the most influential periodical of the time, but thst was forbidden by the censor, and it was published in 1863 in the medical journal, Meditsinsky vestnik. The expanded book version, now a classic text, appeared four years… Read More

Moscow: Gosudarstvennoe izdatel'stvo, 1930. 160 pp. 18,5x12,5 cm. In original cloth with colored lettering on front cover and spine, with original dust jacket with letterpress design by unknown artist. Dust jacket occasionally repaired, with tears and small losses of edges, but book is in fine condition. Second, revised and enlarged edition. One of 3000 copies. Very rare. Dust jacket displays an expressive, 'dancing' design of the title consisting of black and white letters printed on the red background. This is the only constructivist design produced for 'Ulialaevshchina' editions. This is the early version of the most successful epic poem by constructivist poet Il'ia Sel'vinskii (1899-1968). The text was first published in 1927. Initially, the author wrote about the fortunes of a kulak Ulialaev who was defeated by the Red Army during an anarchist kulaks' rebellion. And this character was described more expressive than the Communists. In the late 1920s, this leftist poem was performed by the… Read More

Moscow; Leningrad: Gos. izd-vo, 1929. 192 pp. 20,1x14,2 cm. In original publisher's cloth binding with constructivist dust-wrapper. Near fine. Stamp on the title page 'From books of Niccolo Mitsishvili'. Rare. One of 3,000 copies. Constructivist design by the Soviet artist Alexey Surikov. The first edition of llya Selvinsky's famous work "Pusthorg" [i.e. Fur Trade], based on the author's personal experience of work as a fur specialist. Written within an astonishingly short period of time (from February to March 1927), "Pushtorg" played an essential role in shaping Selvinsky's writing career. A celebration of constructivist ideas, this novel in verse opposed the proletarian revolution of 1917 and developed a notion that the leading role in the country should belong to the technical intelligentsia. Shortly after the book was published, the deputy head of the Central Committee's Propaganda and Agitation Department, Platon Kerzhentsev (1881-1940), who later became a victim of Soviet repressions,… Read More

St. Petersburg: Kom. po ustroistvu dobrovolnogo flota, 1878. VIII, 490 pp. 25x18 cm. Later cloth binding. Owner's signature on the last page, very rare light foxing. Otherwise a near fine crispy copy. First edition. Interesting book regarding the influence of American navy on Russian naval system. Raphael Semmes (1809-1877) was a captain of the commerce raider Alabama during the American Civil War. He was later promoted to rear admiral and also served briefly as a brigadier general in the Confederate army. This book was compiled from the diary and other documents of captain Semmes. It contains description of events took place during the Civil War. Also it bears a few supplements: Sumter and Alabama's prizes, Alabama's measurements, correspondence about Tuscaloosa and others. It was translated and published in Russian possibly because of its high relevance in Russia at that time. Fleet of the Northern States in the beginning of the war started to block Southern coast and in 1864-1865 southerns had… Read More

Moscow: Teakinopechat', 1930. 222, [2] pp. 1 ill. was probably printed separately and loosely inserted. 17,5x13 cm. In original oversized wrappers with letterpress design. Rubbed, otherwise very good. First and only edition. One of 6000 copies. An interesting work by the theorist of reciting and founder of the first courses and Institute of this art, Vasilii Serezhnikov (1885-1952). After the institute was closed in 1922, Serezhnikov, together with his students and followers, created Moscow Wandering Reciting Theater that worked until the late 1930s. He had written a range of works for actors-reciters from the 1910s to 1930. This book crowns his pedagogy. Earlier works sometimes included quotes on the oratory and readers met them with a positive reaction. This became a motive for compiling this book, the first manual to reciting methods. It comprises advice of well-known people (among them Soviet actors, theater directors and Serezhnikov himself) and tips that the author brings to anybody who wants… Read More

Moscow: Kinopechat, 1926. 16 pp. 17,5x13 cm. Very good condition. Minor soiling of the wrappers. Portrait of the author on the rear wrapper.

[Supplement to the magazine 'Probuzhdenie' (i.e. Awakening)]. St. Petersburg: Tovarishhestvo hudozhestvennoi pechati, 1912. 32 pp. 30x21 cm. In publisher's illustrated wrappers. In a very good condition. This collection of sonnets gathered the highlights of the early translations. Among all pieces of Shakespeare's heritage the sonnets came last into Russian literature. First Russian translation of sonnets is associated with Ivan Mamuna who had published his variation of "Му mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun" in 1859 (it's presented in this edition). He laid the foundation of immense Russian admiration for sonnets that would start since 1880. Interesting how dissimilar people are within the group of translators. There are poet N. Gerbel', scientist N. Kholodkovsky, statesmen K. Sluchevsky, N. Briansky and F. Chervinsky, Oriental enthusiast E. Ukhtomskii. And apart of them the only female translator L. Vil'kina who was a key figure of Saint Petersburg bogema lifestyle of late 19th - early 20th… Read More

Lviv: Drukarnya Naukovoho Tovarystva imeny Shevchenka, 1901. XII, 102, [4] pp. 18.4x12.3 cm. In original publisher's cloth binding. Soiling of the boards, lettering on the front board partly erased, occasional neat restoration with tape, private library stamp on the title-page (Viktor Tsebrovsky). Otherwise good. Scarce. First edition. Translated from the original by Panteleimon Kulish. Edited by Ivan Franko (1856-1916). Published in 1901 by Panteleimon Kulish, this is the first Ukrainian translation of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing. The first translations of Shakespeare's works in Ukraine appeared at the beginning of the 19th century when the Ukrainian poet Nikolay Kostomarov (1817-1885) interpreted Desdemona's Willow Song from the tragedy Othello. However, it was not until 1882 that the Ukrainian press witnessed the emergence of the first complete Ukrainian translation of anything by Shakespeare, namely Hamlet by the Ukrainian writer and playwright Mykhailo Starytsky (1840-1904). At… Read More

St. Petersburg: Izdanie knigoprodavtsa M.O. Vol'fa, 1871. 23 pp. 26x18,5 cm. In original printed covers. Good, tears of the spine, lacking upper outer corner of last page (text slightly affected) and the back cover, foxing and water stains occasionally. First and lifetime edition of the libretto. Very rare. Italian and Russian text were published in parallel. This opera was composed by Charles Gounod (1818-1893) in 1867. Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet' was adapted by poets Jules Barbier (1825-1901) and Michel Carré (1822-1872). The work was printed among other performances of Italian opera staged in St. Petersburg. Apart from 'Romeo and Juliet', only 'Faust' by the collaboration of this trio succeeded in Russia. Worldcat doesn't track this edition.

Lviv: Drukarnya Naukovoho Tovarystva imeny Shevchenka, 1901. XIV, 180 pp. 18.1x12 cm. In original publisher's cloth binding. Loose, staining to the boards, private library stamps (The Library of V. Simovich) on the title-page and p. 180, previous owner's ink inscription on the title-page. Otherwise good. Scarce. First edition. With the ex-libris of V. Simovich. Translated from the original by Panteleimon Kulish. Edited by Ivan Franko (1856-1916). Published in 1901, this is the first Ukrainian translation of Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra. The tragedy came out under the translation of the famous Ukrainian writer and one of the most prominent figures in Shakespeare's Ukrainian translations Panteleimon Kulish (1819-1887). Although the writer finished working on Antony and Cleopatra in the early-1880s, the translation was not printed until after his death. As the EMS decree (1876; a decree of Tsar Alexander II of Russia) banned the publication of Ukrainian books in the Dnieper region, the edition… Read More