Bookvica

[WESTFALEN] Zamarashka i Durashka [i.e. Messy and Goosey]

Nebieri, V., Westfalen

Leningrad: Raduga, [1927]. Item #1824

12 pp.: ill. 15x11,2 cm. In original illustrated wrappers. Tear of spine, some soiling and foxing, otherwise very good.

First and only edition. Very rare little-format Raduga book.
An early Soviet poetry book for younger children. It doesn’t determine which of two sisters-artists, Elsa or Antonina Westfalen worked on this edition. Both contributed to the Russian book design occasionally and lived in Saint Petersburg/Leningrad.
Elsa Westfalen (1876-1942) studied at the Central School of Technical Drawing of Baron Stieglitz with G. Kotov and V. Savinsky. She is known for designs of carpets, book bindings and illustrations, and watercolor landscapes. In 1932, Elsa was employed as an art historian in the Hermitage. Antonina Westfalen (1881-1942) studied at the Drawing School of the Society for the Encouragement of Arts under I. Bilibin, N. Roerich, A. Rylov. As her masters, she collaborated with Evreinov’s Ancient Theater, designed books and bookplates. Together, Elsa and Antonina Westfalen died of starvation during the Siege of Leningrad.
The author, writer Vera Nebieri (pseud. of Vera Vasilieva; 1887-1931) is mostly known as a translator of French works. In 1931, she was expelled from the All-Union Association of Writers due to ideological reasons. Likely, her life ended in the same year because of ideological reasons as well.
The book presents another story about little troublemakers. They tease animals, climb out a window into a street, care little about their appearance and clothing. Even if mothers catch and tidy up boys, they anyway return to their regular state.

Not found in Worldcat.

Price: $650.00