Gorod. Stikhi. [The City. Poems].

One of 25 copies on Chine. A fine copy this masterpiece of the Russian avant-garde. Number 4 of the tirage de tête of only 25 copies on china paper, preserved in a binding by Monique Mathieu, M. Mélin and H. Jolis. The book is particularly remarkable for the wealth of Goncharova's illustrations (more than 50), and it is entirely printed in lithograph.

The illustrations for Gorod address modern subjects such as workers, machines and factories and provide a dynamic urban background to the text. The poems are printed in facsimile manuscript which was popular amongst Russian poets at the time as they felt it honestly conveyed their inner feelings. The cityscapes and backdrops show an evolution from Goncharova's earlier book illustrations to a theatrical lyricism which was undoubtedly linked to her work as a stage designer for the Ballets Russes.

Alexander Rubakin (1889-1979), poet and journalist, was arrested in 1906 for distributing revolutionary literature. A year later he emigrated from Russia and settled in France where he regularly submitted articles to such magazines as 'New Magazine for Everyone', 'Russian Treasure', 'Russian Though' etc. In 1944 Rubakin returned to the USSR.

First edition, limited edition, number 4 of 25 copies on vieux chine; 8vo (26 x 16 cm); 52 illustrations after Goncharova, 9 of which are full-page, pages uncut and partly unopened; original printed wrappers, minor creasing, an excellent copy; full dark red calf, flat spine lettered in black, covers with various leathers and snake skin laid-in or in relief, leather doublure of same colour, endleaves in black reversed leather, mounted on tabs, calf-spine jacket and slipcase, by Mathieu, Mélin and Jolis in 1991, a fine copy.

Hellyer 457.