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[VOLGA-DON SHIPPING CANAL] Volga-Don

Kezhun, B.

Item #2298

Moscow: Detgiz, 1951. [17] pp.: ill. 25x19 cm. In original illustrated wrappers. Near fine.

First and only edition. Illustrated throughout.
This Soviet children’s book promotes the Volga-Don Canal under construction. Connecting two essential water arteries, the canal became one of the Great construction projects of communism.
It was initiated before World War II but delayed until 1948. The whole system was opened in 1952. The project was headed by Soviet hydraulic engineer, Sergey Zhuk who was responsible for the architecture of White Sea–Baltic Canal and the Moscow-Volga Canal as well. The construction was controlled by the NKVD that supplied it with more than 20.000 GULAG prisoners and about 100.000 German prisoners. Also, the authorities recruited 700.000 workers all over the country, including graduates of universities and technical schools, and demobilized soldiers.
The verses were written by well-known wartime journalist Bronislav Kezhun (1914–1984). The design was created by graphic artist Viktor Sveshnikov (1907–1993). Together they presented the construction of the canal, which made Volga “a river of five seas”, and the creation of the Tsimlyansk reservoir. The reservoir was completely filled in 1953.

No copies found in the USA.

Price: $450.00