Biblioteka starorusskikh povestei [The Library of Old Russian Tales].

A rare complete set. A remarkable collection of traditional Russian tales published by Sytin between 1914 and 1917, profusely illustrated with lubok prints as well as original drawings. The series was put together by Boris Dunaev, an art historian and expert in ancient tales, particularly from the north of the country. The popular style of printing was the trademark of Sytin, who wanted to attract the peasant and merchant classes with stories that were rooted more in folk tradition than Western educated novelists.

Sytin himself came from a peasant family. Born in 1851 in a tiny village in the Kostroma region, his first experience of book selling was on his uncle's stall at the Novogorod fair, aged twelve. A year later he moved to Moscow and shortly afterwards acquired his own printing press. His commercial success came with mass producing calendars, fortune-telling charts, leaflets and books. The works which were cheaply produced and attractively illustrated helped increase the literacy of previously isolated communities.

First edition, 5 vols, 8vo (4 vols: 22 x 15.5 cm, 1 vol: 23.5 x 16.5 cm); each volume profusely illustrated in colour, some volumes with a few leaves loose; in the original illustrated wrappers by N. Freiman, very minor wear to corners and spines otherwise a fine set.