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[GEORGIAN SSR IN CONSTRUCTION] Drosha: Ork’vireuli samkhat’vro-salit’erat’uro (dasuratebuli) zhurnali [i.e. The Flag. A Bimonthly Artistic And Literary Magazine (Illustrated)] 11 issues. 1930-1934

Item #2211

#24 1929; #22 (46) 1930, #24 (48) 1930, #8 (32) 1930; #9 (33) 1930; #16 (40) 1930; #1 (49) 1931 #5, 1932; #13 1932; #3 1933; #9-10 1934; #9-10 1933. Tbilisi, 1929-1934. 18 pp.: ill. 30,5x21,5 cm.

In original illustrated wrappers. Mostly good, few spines slightly chipped, underlinings, minor tears. #24 (48) 1930 has tears on the spine. Print-run from 600 to 6000 copies. Rare. In Georgian.

‘Drosha’ [Flag] was the main artistic and literary magazine published in Tbilisi from 1923 to 1935. Although initially ‘Drosha’ was a bimonthly periodical, its frequency fluctuated due to insufficient funds. The first editor-in-chief, the secretary for the Party Committee in Georgia, Mikheil Kakhiani (1896–1937), was executed in 1937 under the terrorism legislation.
The design of ‘Drosha’ changed over the years reflecting the different styles dominant in Georgian art. In the first period in 1923–24, the magazine was dominated by David Kutateladze, who designed the wrappers and the lettering — he was clearly influenced by Ilia Zdanevich’s letterpress designs. Also artists P.Krylov (1902–1990) and Mikheil Gotsiridze (1901–1975) published their experimental works in a couple of issues. In 1925–26, a less inspired period of design, the magazine appeared in similar wrappers with a changing central image. The magazine suspended publication between 1927 and 1928, and when it returned in 1929 the style changed completely, using the best works of Georgian photography and photomontage techniques. In these years the most significant works used were those of Sh. Purtskhvanidze, who was active as a designer in 1929-1935. There were also montages and photos by Lisitsyn, Kozak etc.
In 1930s Drosha was very much echoing USSR in Construction - smaller in format and with cheaper paper used, however, the photo content of the issues, the extensive use of photography as well bold slogan-like layout decisions, occasional use of photomontage - this all suggests a strong Lissitzky-Troshin influence.
The present issues include art by Irakli Toidze, Irina Shtenberg, Apolon Kutateladze and David Kutateladze.

Chepyzhov. New Georgian Book Design, #20.

Price: $1,950.00