Bookvica

[RODCHENKO AND STEPANOVA]

Item #1350

A two-volume collection of Joseph Stalin’s works.
1: Stalin, J. Ob osnovakh leninizma: Lektsii, chitannye v Sverdlovskom universitete v nachale aprelia 1924 goda [i.e. On the Basis of Leninism: Lectures Given at the Sverdlovsk University in Early April 1924]. M.: Partizdat, 1934. 264 pp., 1 portrait.
2: Stalin, J. K voprosam leninizma [i.e. To the Issues of Leninism]. M.: Partizdat, [1935]. 176 pp., 1 portrait.
Case: 14x10,5 cm. Books: 12,5x9 cm. In original constructivist cloth case with a blind-stamped portrait of Stalin and his facsimile. In two cloth bindings with the gilt name on the front covers and colored title on the front covers and spines; upper edges colored. Case rubbed, otherwise near fine.

Extremely rare in this case.
This experimental case shows the possibilities of constructivist solutions in book design, although pure constructivism seems particularly unexpected in the mid-1930s. The case is rather simple: two similar parts are fastened in the center of the upper and lower sides. Such a joint lets both parts spin a little but be tightly attached to each other. The inner part where the volumes are kept is equipped with a fabric band holding books inside. Some cases for this edition were produced in a less complicated fashion: they are also in the gray сloth with a stamped portrait, but two parts aren’t fastened together. Although the designers aren’t credited inside, it is certainly known that Alexander Rodchenko’s and Varvara Stepanova’s splendid duo developed a case of the same construction for the 1934 book 10 let Uzbekistana [i.e. 10 years of Uzbekistan]. The spouses were entrusted with the design of various editions dedicated to Stalin and Lenin and issued by the 17th Congress of the Communist Party.
This small edition consists of two volumes designed alike. Interestingly, the volumes came out with completely different print runs. The first book, On the Basis of Leninism, was produced in 200,000 copies while the second one, To the Issues of Leninism, was printed in 5,000 copies only. In the 1920s and 1940s, Stalin’s works were multiply published over the country, but these editions feature the most curious design.

No copies found in Worldcat.

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