Bookvica

[FULL RUN] Proletarskoe foto [i.e. Proletarian Photo] No. 1-4 for 1931; No. 1-6, 7/8, 9-12 for 1932, No. 1-6 for 1933. In all, 21 issues

Item #2720

Moscow: 1931–1933. 25,5x18 cm. In original illustrated wrappers.

#1 (1931) – some ink marks, small stains occasionally, covers slightly rubbed, otherwise very good.
#2 (1931) – fragments of spine lost, few small stains, covers slightly rubbed, otherwise very good.
#3 (1931) – fragments of spine lost, otherwise very good.
#4 (1931) – small tears of edges, fragments of spine lost, small stains occasionally, otherwise good.
#1 (1932) – fragments of spine lost, otherwise very good.
#2 (1932) – stains on covers, otherwise very good and clean internally.
#3 (1932) – spine chipped, red pencil note and some red soiling on back cover, otherwise very good.
#4 (1932) – no spine and back cover, rusty staples and spots around them, otherwise good.
#5 (1932) – few fragments of spine lost, small stains occasionally, otherwise very good.
#6 (1932) – fragment of back cover cut out, fragments of spine lost, few pencil marks, otherwise good.
#7/8 (1932) – tear of spine, chipped, otherwise very good.
#9 (1932) – fragments of spine lost, ink signature on rear side of front cover and minor spots on back cover, pages very good and clean.
#10 (1932) – fragments of spine lost, otherwise very good.
#11 (1932) – tears of spine, fragments of spine lost, pages very good and clean.
#12 (1932) – rubbed, spine and covers edges chipped, stains occasionally.
#1 (1933) – fragments of spine lost, some tears of covers, otherwise very good.
#2 (1933) – fragments of spine lost, otherwise very good.
#3 (1933) – fragments of spine lost, stains occasionally, otherwise good.
#4 (1933) – spine chipped, handwritten notes on back cover
#4 (1933) – very good, covers partly detached from block.

Complete set of issues under the title “Proletarskoe foto” published during the substantial years of the first five-year plan. Intended to portray a class struggle for socialist construction, the periodical included numerous photographs propagating Soviet achievements and presenting the workers in a heroic light. Issues comprise excellent examples of Bolshevik photo propaganda by well-known early Soviet photographers: A. Rodchenko, V. Griuntal, Ignatovich (including Boris and his sisters Elisaveta and Olga), P. Petrokas, E. Langman, S. Fridliand, A. Shaikhet, E. Mikulina, N. Shtertser, M. Alpert, L. Mezhericher. The latter more frequently acted as an editor and the author of articles.
The sole specialist photography magazine in the Soviet Union, Sovetskoe foto [i.e. The Soviet Photo] was founded by the writer and editor Mikhail Kol’tsov (1898-1940) in April of 1926. Five years after its launch, in September 1931, the magazine was renamed “Proletarskoe foto” [i.e. Proletarian Photo]. Under this title, the magazine kept publication monthly until 1933. In that year, 6 issues were released bimonthly. The periodical “Proletarskoe foto” was commissioned by the Society “For Soviet Cinematography and Photography” (OZPKF).
After the 1932 collapse of small art organizations, the OZPKF was also gradually closed. In 1934, the previous magazine title was returned and remained the same until the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
Most issues include 8 pages with mezzo-tinto photographs in their centers (included in common pagination). Interestingly, the 1931 issues laud avantgarde pictures by photographers of the October art group, but since issue 1 (1932) the periodical severely criticizes previously published works by Rodchenko, Ignatovich, Langman and other members of “October”. The criticism is presented as multiple opinions from different subscribers.
Issue 4 (1931) contains an innovative photo series on 24 pages showing the daily life of a proletarian family of 7 people of various ages. Pictures of family members during their routine and leisure time are added with photographs of documents, captions propagate benefits of socialist life. For instance: “Housekeeping services and public canteens facilitate mother’s household chores. There is a laundry service next to their house, and she cooks lunch only for herself because everyone else eats in factory canteens, and the youngest son eats in his kindergarten. She has time for literacy courses and a Red Cross club”. The series was created and produced by L. Mezhericher, A. Shaikhet, M. Alpert, S. Tules. 24 pages of the series are followed by creators’ description of the work.
“Proletarskoe foto” became a platform for educational materials for amateur photographers and photo correspondents. The course was created at the Research Film and Photo Institute (NIKFI) that was founded in 1929. Konstantin Chibisov, director of the Institute and an outstanding photochemist, was responsible for editing all physico-chemical materials provided through the course. Among the masters sharing their experience are Alpert, Mikulina, Fridliand, Griuntal, Ignatovich, Langman, Shtertser. Those lectures are printed as a separate section at the end of issues.
Besides the course, the magazine published different useful information related to photography: photographic recording of sounds, photomontage, zoom technique for portraits of Lenin and Stalin, novelties of cameras, explanations of chemical processes in film development and physical processes of shooting, etc. Also, issues include relevant advertisements for photography competitions and photographic equipment.

According to Worldcat, Stanford University locates issues 1–6 for 1932; some issues are located in California State Library and Getty Institute.

Price: $9,500.00