Nashi Tropiki [Our Tropics].

£1,200 · Offered by Shapero Rare Books

Soviet children's book celebrating the Soviet 'tropics' i.e. Adjara and Abkhazia. The region was one of Stalin's favourite holiday destinations and there was a concerted effort to cultivate goods traditionally grown elsewhere such as tea, mandarins and bamboo. The book acts as an homage to the warm climate of the Black Sea coast and praises the success of Soviet policy in implementing such rapid change (for example the five year plan being completed in two and a half years). Incredibly vivid illustrations by Lev Bruni (1894-1948), painter, graphic artist and member of the illustrious artistic Bruni family. He studied under Smokish and Roubaud at the Imperial Academy, exhibited with Mir Iskusstva and later became associated with Vladimir Tatlin and Vkhutemas. Bruni was a prominent figure in both pre and post revolutionary Russia and was friends with many famous writers such as Tsvetaeva, Balmont and Ehrenburg. Sole edition, small 8vo (19 x 14.7 cm); illustrations throughout, small stains to verso of upper wrapper; original printed wrappers, Soviet bookseller's stamps with number inscriptions

• Binding: Hardcover

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