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[SMOLNIKOV] Vesti prikhodili tak [i.e. The news came like this]: [For younger children] / Text by A.Sheikin; Illustrations by Yu. Smolnikov

SHEIKIN, A. L.

Item #2913

Leningrad: Detgiz. [Leningrad branch], 1959. 43 p.: ill.; 28×20 cm. Original cardboard binding. Block is slightly shaky, ex-library.

First edition. Second edition came out in 1965.

Together with:
SHEIKIN, A. Vest prikhodiat tak [i.e. News Comes Like This] Illustration by Yu. Smolnikov. Leningrad: Children’s Literature, 1965. 48 p. 27,4×21,5 cm. Original illustrated wrapper. Slight foxing of the front cover, otherwise good.
First and only edition.

The two books present the illustrated history of communication tools—from such primitives as the human voice, drumbeat, and campfire light, to more complex and modern ones— phototelegraph, air and space communications.
Askold Sheikin (1924–2015) was a Soviet sci-fi writer. In 1949, he graduated from the Geography Department of Leningrad State University. He then worked in the mines and quarries of Eastern Siberia and the Donbass region, serving as a collector, surveyor (a mining engineer specializing in geodetic surveying of mines and underground workings), surveyor, and district surveyor. He also worked as a topographer, an engineering editor for a topographic unit, and taught topography and geomorphology at topography courses. Later, in 1967, his profession would be reflected in the science fiction novel “A Soldier’s Road Home.” He is best known for his 1960s t science fiction story, “Angevozm,” appeared. The title comes from “Analyzer of Genetic Possibilities.” The plot of this 1965 story accurately predicts the Human Genome Project, which was launched by US scientists only in 1986. As a result of the writer’s long-term communication with scientists at a Leningrad research institute, the science fiction novella “The Secret of All Secrets” was published in 1971.

Yuri Smolnikov (1926-?) was a Soviet graphic artist, member of the USSR Union of Artists. His diploma work at the All-Union Academy of Art was a series of prints, “Sevastopol Harvest,” and received an excellent grade. He studied at the graphics department and earned the qualification of graphic artist. He is best known for the illustrations to the book “Three Merry Colors.», that held many editions in USSR.

Worldcat shows one copy NYPL.

Price: $500.00