Pre-1917 Imperial Russian Antique Book Self-Help Samuel Smiles Wolff Cyrillic

by Samuel Smiles, Смайлс, Смайльс

$250 · Offered by eBay

Signed

Up for sale is a genuinely rare antique book from the Russian Empire period — the Russian translation of the absolute world bestseller "Self-Help" by Samuel Smiles (originally published in English in 1859). In the Russian pre-revolutionary tradition, it was translated as "Samodeyatelnost" (Самодѣятельность). This specific copy is the Second Edition translated by N. Kuteynikov, featuring unique additional chapters about the lives of famous Russian historical figures. It was published by the iconic M. O. Wolff Publishing House (St. Petersburg / Moscow) c. 1910 (Undated on the title page, historically dated to 1910) The Root of Personal Growth: This book literally created the "Self-Help" genre worldwide. In Imperial Russia, it became a true "Gospel of success" — it was read to pieces by students, entrepreneurs, and intellectuals who wanted to build their own lives. Unique Russian Context: Unlike the standard English text, this edition includes expanded biographies of Russian cultural and industrial figures, tailored specifically for the Imperial Russian audience. Authentic ink signature of a Baltic/Latvian owner: "N. Līcis. 1915" С. Смайлс. Самодеятельность. Издание Вольф. Владельческая подпись ~ N. Licis 1915.

  • Publisher: Russian Empire
  • Year: 1910
  • Binding: Hardcover
  • Condition: Fair

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