Sobor Sviatogo Ravnoapostol'nogo Kniazia Vladimira v Kieve [The Cathedral of St. Vladimir in Kiev].

£3,750 · Offered by Shapero Rare Books

first edition in the original binding An exceptionally fresh example in the original art nouveau binding. In 1884 Viktor Vasnetsov, Mikhail Nesterov and a number of other artists were commissioned to paint frescos in St Volodymyr's Cathedral in Kyiv, which had recently been constructed to celebrate a 900 years since Vladimir's Christianisation of Kiev Rus in 897. The somewhat controversial results of this undertaking are documented in this profusely illustrated guide. Folio (34 x 25 cm.); vii, 137pp., chromolithographed title-page, titles initials in red, 105 illustrations in the text, 42 plates (2 double-page, of which one in colour gilt), small water stain to bottom margin of a few rear leaves; original decorative blue cloth gilt, blue slipcase with blue morocco entry, a fine example.

• Binding: Hardcover

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