Nachalo Istorichesko deiatel'nosti Bogdana Khmel'nitskiy [The Beginning of the Historical Activity of Bohdan Khmel'nitskiy].

£2,500 · Offered by Shapero Rare Books

First edition of this critical study on the initial period of life and affairs of the famous military leader and state figure Bohdan Khmelnitsky by the Russian historian Genadii Karpov. Karpov was a specialist in the history of Ukraine between the 15th and 17th centuries and aimed to question commonly accepted myths about Khmelnytsky, looking only to the 'purest sources'. Many of Karpov's conclusions and comments gave rise to accusations of an overly biased, Muscovite attitude toward Bohdan Khmelnytsky, namely Mykola Kostomarov who published an article critiquing the work. The title was republished in 2011, 2021 and 2025 in Moscow, perhaps as a timely reminder of the Russian version of Ukrainian history. First edition, 8vo (20.7 x 13.7); pre-Revolutionary library stamps for the Moscow Theological Academy to upper fly leaf, title and foreword, shelf label to title, ownership stamp of V. A. Andreev in Cryillic to title, ownership inscription to fly leaf and title dated 1936, litfond book shop label to upper pastedown, small Soviet bookseller stamp to lower pastedown, annotations and underlining throughout in coloured pencil; near contemporary calf-backed boards, title and floral design blind-stamped to spine, wear to edges and top of spine, a good copy.

• Binding: Hardcover

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