Bookvica

[CHILDREN IN THE FIGHT AGAINST THE RICH] Kak zhivet Tib [i.e. How Tib Lives?]

Zhulev, P.

Item #2420

Moscow;
Leningrad: Molodaya gvardiya, 1932. 16 pp.: ills. 17x12,7 cm. In
original publisher’s illustrated wrappers by Yuriy Syrnev. Wrappers
slightly worn, mild damp stain in the lower corner throughout the
copy, but otherwise in a very good condition.

First edition. Scarce. Text in Russian. Edited by T. Gabbe.
Front wrapper design and illustrations throughout by Yuriy Syrnev
(1905–1943).
A fascinating Soviet children’s book and a prime example of
state-approved literature for juvenile audiences written by a lesserknown
Soviet author and pedagogue Pyotr Zhulev (1885-1942).
The book tells the story of Tib, a poor African kid struggling
to survive in a country full of rich Englishmen. One day, he and
an old porter put up posters demanding an end to suffering and
calling for the downfall of the rich. The police quickly shut them
down, but instead of scaring Tib off, it only fuels his determination
to keep fighting. The book ends with the author urging readers to
help others like Tib and join the fight against the wealthy elite by
signing up with Communist International Red Aid (the organization
existed from 1922 to 1947 and served as an «international political
Red Cross», providing material and moral aid to radical «class-war»
political prisoners around the world).
The front wrapper vividly mirrors the book’s story. Tib, in
tattered clothes, crouches as he writes a protest message against
the rich. Above him, in the upper right corner, a policeman with a
baton lurks, a looming threat. The book’s title stands boldly in the
center, set against a deep red background that echoes the Soviet
power.
The cover design and black-and-white illustrations
throughout, showing Tib, a porter, and policemen, were produced
by Yuriy Syrnev, a Russian graphic artist and book illustrator. Born
in Kazan, he grew up in Tallinn and studied in Leningrad, first at the
State Art and Industrial Technical School (1923–1927) and then at
VKhUTEIN (1927–1932). He worked in watercolor, lithography, and
book illustration. From 1930, he was part of the State Publishing
House’s children’s book department. In 1942, he volunteered
for the front as a sniper and was killed in battle near Konotop on
September 11, 1943.

Worldcat shows
only 1 copy of
the edition
at Princeton
University.

Status: On Hold