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[TO THE ROOTS OF THE FIRST RUSSIAN PROFESSIONAL UNION OF ARCHITECTS] Yezhegodnik Moskovskogo arkhitekturnogo obshchestva. Vypusk 1 [i.e. Yearbook of the Moscow Architectural Society. Issue 1]

Item #2074

Moscow: Tipografiya T-va I. D. Sytina, 1909 (1910 on the title-page). 122, [2] pp.: ill. 20.9x29.7 cm.

In owner’s contemporary binding with original printed wrapper mounted to the front board. Soiling and staining. Lacks the half-title. Otherwise in a good condition.
Scarce. First edition. With numerous illustrations, 7 of which are in color. The first-ever issue of the yearbook of the Moscow Architectural Society.

The first Russian professional union of architects and constructing engineers, Moscow Architectural Society was founded in 1867 on the initiative of the architect Mikhail Bukovsky (1801-1885). The initial composition of the MAO consisted of 40 members, who laid the foundation for the systematic study of ancient Russian architecture and organized architectural exhibitions and competitions. These kinds of events played an important part in creating an advantageous atmosphere for architectural designing and its further development.
In 1909, the society began to publish Mao yearbooks to showcase its activities and projects carried out throughout a year. The present edition serves as the first-ever issue of the yearbook (1908-1909), which was edited by the Russian architect and the follower of modernist trends in architecture Nikolay Kurdyukov (1868-1924).
At the time of the publication, the Society was headed by the architect Fyodor Schechtel (1859), and included honorary chairman Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich (1847-1909), honorary members P. Uvarova, N. Nikitina, R. Gedike, E. Zhiber, A. Popova, as well as 107 fellow members, 3 employees, and 17 amateur members. During the year, MAO organized 8 competitions including Russian Drama Theater of F. Volkov (winner N. Spirin; the building is active up to date).

The edition consists of four sections (Architecture, Painting, Sculpture, Applied Arts) and showcases designs of Gogol’s sculpture in Moscow (Architect N. Andreev; active), interior design of a church (Architect D. Andreev), The apartment building of the Trinity Church on Gryazekh (Architect S. Vashkov. Rebuilt in 1944-1945 partly losing its initial appearance), a project design of a dacha (L. Vesnin), Monument to the first publisher Ivan Fedorov in Moscow (Architect I. Mashkov; active), two color illustrations from a travel album of the artist V. Egorov, Russian motives by the artist and architecture S. Noakovsky, posters for the Black Sea floating exhibition of Russian products by the artist G. Pashkov, sketch of the scenery for Rimsky-Korsakov's The Snow Maiden by the artist F. Fedorovsky, etc.
Even though the publication is called ‘a yearbook’, there were only 6 of such editions with the last one being printed in 1930. Illustrations are preceded by a text on the society’s activities, members, architectural competitions, their result, etc.
After the October Revolution, the Moscow Architectural Society continued its activities, organizing in 1917-1921 cycles of public lectures, holding competitions, and carrying out practical work on the protection of architectural monuments. In 1930, the Moscow Architectural Society ceased to exist, entering the Moscow Regional Branch of the All-Union Architectural and Scientific Society (MOVANO). In turn, MOVANO was liquidated in 1932 in connection with the creation of the Union of Architects of the USSR.
Overall, an important evidence of architectural processes of the time.

Worldcat shows copies of the edition at Harvard University and Getty Research Institute.

Price: $950.00

Status: On Hold