Bookvica

[PHOTO BOOK] Gruzinskiye suveniry: [Al’bom] [i.e. Georgian Souvenirs: [Album]]

Item #2437

Moscow: Novoexport, [ca. 1960s-1970s]. [68] pp.: ills. 24,5x34 cm. Period binding in textured rubberized material with blind-tooled title and statue of Mother of Georgians on the front board. Five pages detached, but otherwise in a very good condition.

A richly illustrated photobook showcasing the traditional crafts of Soviet Georgia, produced in the 1970s for the tourist market. Published by Novoexport, the official agency for Soviet exports, the album was intended as a visual introduction to Georgia’s artisanal legacy and was likely sold in bookstores, souvenir kiosks, and tourist centers across cities like Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi, and Moscow.

The album features a multilingual text (in Russian, English, French, and German) that situates Georgian souvenir-making within the broader context of the republic’s deep-rooted artistic heritage. The visual narrative begins with full-page photographs of Georgian landscapes and iconic architectural monuments—
primarily medieval churches and ancient hilltop towns. From there, the album transitions into a photographic survey of Georgian craftsmanship. The first thematic section focuses on ceramics, particularly vessels used for wine—the centerpiece of Georgian material culture. Accompanied by short captions, the photographs feature wine cups, wine sets, piala bowls, as well as beer mugs, liqueur and fruit service sets, decorative vases, and large clay jars. The objects are photographed in studio-like settings that emphasize form, texture, and surface detail. Subsequent sections document souvenirs made of metal and wood, including finely etched trays, jugs, and cutlery, as well as carved boxes, figurines, and utilitarian objects. The final portion presents various items crafted
from mixed or alternative materials, illustrating the diversity and adaptability of Georgian folk art in the Soviet period. Interspersed throughout are short texts in Russian, English, French, and German that contextualize each craft tradition without interrupting the flow of images.

Overall, a visually engaging photo book from the Georgian SSR, designed for tourists and showcasing the region’s rich craft traditions.

Worldcat shows 1 copy of the edition at Universitätsbibliothek der Eberhard Karls Universität.

Price: $350.00