Bookvica

[EARLY SOVIET PHOTOBOOK] Ilyich. 10-IV 1870 – 21-I 1924

Moscow: Izd. Kul’t-ob’edineniia Goskino, 1924. Item #1815

25 leaves with photos. 8,7x16 cm. In original illustrated wrappers. Creases of covers and corners of some leaves, covers rubbed, with few tiny tears, otherwise very good and clean. Tissue paper leaves preserved.

Rare. One of 1500 copies produced.
Illustrated cover design mixes drawn ornament with two well-known portraits of Lenin. No title page, as published.
This small photobook was released in memory of the former leader of the Communist party, along with thousands of books and magazine articles. This edition opens with his childhood portrait (1873). The image was enormously widespread, in particular, it was used for little octobrists’ badges. This meant to be a part of daily life of almost every child in the USSR since the 1920s.
A photograph of the whole Ulyanov family is also included. A caption for each photo is printed on verso and in this caption compilers highlighted that brother Alexander Ulyanov was hanged for the attempt on the life of Emperor Alexander III. There are photos of Vladimir Ulyanov as a gymnasium student and a revolutionary in exile.
The following pictures present him as Vladimir Ilyich Lenin whom he became in 1901. There Lenin is giving a speech for workers after he has come to Petrograd in 1917; he attends various official events held during the Civil war, including demonstrations and other gatherings. Among them are two photos of him with delegates of the 2nd World Congress of the Communist International.
The last leaves feature Lenin lying in a coffin and the second temporary wooden mausoleum designed by A. Shchusev and installed in the spring of 1924. In contrast to the first version, two tribunes were attached to both sides. The need for a tribune appeared due to the large influx of visitors and mourning speeches. Five years later, the architect was commissioned to create a new mausoleum of stone that wouldn’t rot.
In all, one of the earliest Soviet photobooks, it showcases the phenomenon in its development.

No copies found in the USA.

Price: $950.00