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[THE RUSSIAN CIVIL WAR IN ODESA] Komu potekha – komu sliezy. Skazochka diadi Bori [i.e. Fun to One – Tears to Others. Fairy Tale by Uncle Boria].

Odesa: Bessarabskoe knigoizdatel’stvo, 1920. Item #1709

16 pp.: ill. 17,5x12 cm. In original illustrated wrappers. Good, paper strips along spine, covers detached, foxing and soiling, pale private stamp on t.p., pale Soviet bookstore stamp on p. 3.

First and only edition. Extremely rare. In Russian. The book was prepared for printing during the Сivil war in Odessa. In 1917-1920, the city was alternately occupied by Bolsheviks, Ukrainian
People’s Republic, the Second Hetmanate, the Entente troops and White Officers. On February 7, 1920, Bolshevik power was finally established in Odessa.
This fairy tale in verses is also related to military actions. A baby elephant carrying a gun started marching and loudly declared “Fight so fight, no time for a talk!”. This made frogs prepare their own troops and discomposed lots of animals that were having fun. Taking advantage of the commotion, a formerly peaceful cat caught mice from the party and later sold them at a market. Thus, some participants got into trouble because of only the announcement of a war.

Cover and illustrations were designed by graphic artist Samuil Goldman (1876-1931). He primarily performed as an animal painter, creating book illustrations for Odessa publishers ‘Svetoch’,
‘Odespoligraph’, ‘Vozrozhdenie’, ‘BIP’ and ‘Bessarabskoe knigoizdatel’stvo’.

Not found in Worldcat.

Price: $650.00