Description
Semenov, Vladimir; Glubov (Gnedich), S. I. Tsena Krovi (The Price of Blood); Zhizn i Kazn Stenki Razina (The Life and Execution of Stenka Razin); Anecdotes or Adventures of Old Poshekhontsy. St. Petersburg: N.I. Holmushina, 1912.
A rare and unusual bound collection of three distinct works published in 1912: Tsena Krovi (The Price of Blood) by naval historian Vladimir Ivanovich Semenov; Zhizn i Kazn Stenki Razina (The Life and Execution of Stenka Razin), a historical and folkloric account of the legendary Cossack leader; and Anecdotes or Adventures of Old Poshekhontsy, a satirical exploration of rural Russian life.
Custom bound with fabric-covered boards resembling decorative upholstery or wallpaper, possibly a disguised binding to obscure its content. Quarter leather spine with raised bands, showing light wear. Illustrated endpapers feature child-like scenes, typical of early 20th-century children’s books, adding an intriguing contrast to the book’s serious content. Light soiling and wear to the boards, with slight fraying of the cloth. Text block clean with typical toning. Binding remains tight and secure.
The unique binding and choice of endpapers may suggest an early Soviet-era rebinding, potentially to conceal politically sensitive content. Such disguised bindings were common during periods of heightened censorship. A fascinating addition to collections focusing on Russian history, clandestine literature, or unusual bookbinding practices.
