KHERASKOV, Mikhail Matveevich (1733-1807). Bakhariiana ili Neizvestnyi. Volshebnaia Povest, pocherpnutaia iz Russkikh skazok. [Bakhariana, or The Unknown. A Fantastic Tale Adapted from Russian Fairy Tales]. Moscow: Platon Beketov, 1803. First edition – the Smirdin copy – of this popular oriental tale by the greatest Russian poet in the age of Catherine II, known in his lifetime as ‘the Russian Homer’. While Curator of Moscow University he greatly assisted Nikolai Novikov by leasing him the University Press for ten years. Kheraskov likewise supported the foundation of the Masons’ seminaries of 1799 and 1782. Aleksander Smirdin (1795-1857) was a major Russian publisher, the first to establish the sale of books at lower prices so as to broaden popular readership. He was also editor of Biblioteka dlia chtenia , the most successful literary magazine of the time. This copy sold at Christie’s on 29/11/2007, lot 96. Fekula 4821 (this copy); Kilgour 508; Smirdin 6750 (this copy); Sopikov 12445 (second edition only). Quarto (225 x 135mm). With the half-title and the errata (very minor marginal spotting, occasional thumb marks or ink splash, edges a bit softened). Contemporary tree calf, spine gilt, gilt-lettered label (rebacked, with onlaid spine, boards and extremities somewhat rubbed). Provenance: A. Smirdin (bookplate) – Rossica (bookplate) – Paul M. Fekula.
KHERASKOV, Mikhail Matveevich (1733-1807). Bakhariiana ili Neizvestnyi. Volshebnaia Povest, pocherpnutaia iz Russkikh skazok. [Bakhariana, or The Unknown. A Fantastic Tale Adapted from Russian Fairy Tales]. Moscow: Platon Beketov, 1803. First edition – the Smirdin copy – of this popular oriental tale by the greatest Russian poet in the age of Catherine II, known in his lifetime as ‘the Russian Homer’. While Curator of Moscow University he greatly assisted Nikolai Novikov by leasing him the University Press for ten years. Kheraskov likewise supported the foundation of the Masons’ seminaries of 1799 and 1782. Aleksander Smirdin (1795-1857) was a major Russian publisher, the first to establish the sale of books at lower prices so as to broaden popular readership. He was also editor of Biblioteka dlia chtenia , the most successful literary magazine of the time. This copy sold at Christie’s on 29/11/2007, lot 96. Fekula 4821 (this copy); Kilgour 508; Smirdin 6750 (this copy); Sopikov 12445 (second edition only). Quarto (225 x 135mm). With the half-title and the errata (very minor marginal spotting, occasional thumb marks or ink splash, edges a bit softened). Contemporary tree calf, spine gilt, gilt-lettered label (rebacked, with onlaid spine, boards and extremities somewhat rubbed). Provenance: A. Smirdin (bookplate) – Rossica (bookplate) – Paul M. Fekula.
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