Korol' i Pastukh: Angliskaia narodnaia ballada [The King and the Shepherd: An English Folk Ballad].

£1,500 · Offered by Shapero Rare Books

A striking edition of Marshak's translation of the 16th-century English folk tale King John and the Bishop, illustrated by Vladimir Tronov. Marshak first translated the ballad in 1918 and it was published in the provincial newspaper Utro Iuga under the title Korol' Dzhon i episkop. It was revised and published in this edition in 1926 and then revised again in 1936. What's interesting to note is the changes made to the translations between 1918 and 1936. Marshak mocks the King and the Abbot of Canterbury, stripping them of any redeeming features and even making the abbot bald. Marshak's influential position in the publication of children's literature meant he had to uphold Soviet propaganda and negative stereotypes of the West. Notably scarce. Worldcat locates copies at Harvard and Princeton. First edition, 8vo (22 x 18.3 cm); 10pp., illustrations throughout in red, blue and black by Tronov; original printed wrappers, thumb marks to bottom right corner, minor creasing and a few stains otherwise a very good copy.

• Binding: Hardcover

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