Bookvica

[CHILDREN’S] Sakharniy trostnik [i.e. Sugar Cane]

Kovalensky, A.

Item #2108

Moscow; Leningrad: GIZ, 1926. 16 p.: ill. ; 22x13 cm. Original illustrated wrappers. The front cover is slightly foxed, small tears of the spine from both edges. Otherwise good.

First edtion. The second one followed in 1928. Not found in Worldcat.

This children's book aligns with the prevailing trend in Soviet juvenile literature of the 1920s, which depicts various world nations in an empowered manner while casting a critical eye on their colonizers.
In this case the unnamed location in Africa or Southeast Asia sees the story of the aboriginal tribe co-exist in harmony with the surrounding nature. In details described the everyday life, leisure, hunting and cooking of the enclave. The story ends with the coming of the white people to prey on the local sugar cane, when the author hears the roars of the factories and machinery, while the sounds of animals no longer could be heard.
Comparing to the other books, praising the industrialisation and the rhythms of XXth century from the same decade, this text emphasizes the happy life of the tribe in pre-industrial time, which is unusual. It’s a reminder, that by 1926 the merits of what should be written in a children’s book as well as in all Soviet literature, were not yet fully
formed and certain freedom of expression was allowed.
The design of the book is by Ivan Rerberg (1882-1957) – one of the important figures in Soviet Book design of 1920s. He has started to participate in exhibitions when he was 18 years old.
He primarily focused on book design, specializing in designing covers, bindings, and book decorations for various publications. His work extended such publishing houses of his time as Federatsiya, Vremya, and Krug. Kovalensky crafted covers for a diverse range of materials, such as translated novels, poems, scientific literature, memoir collections, magazines, sheet music, and reference books. His career in cover design began in 1918 with magazine covers, particularly notable for "Among Collectors" (1921 - 1924). In 1930s he created classical designs for the "Academia" publishing house.
Alexander Viktorovich Kovalensky (1897-1965) was a mystic and a poet well-known within limited circles. He earned his livelihood through writing children's books and translating works. He had connections with the Symbolists and was the second cousin of Alexander Blok and Sergei Solovyov Jr. Additionally, he was a friend of Daniil
Andreev, exerting a significant influence on him.

Price: $950.00

Status: On Hold