Skazki, Tales and Legends of Old Russia (1926, first edition)
Ida Zeitlin's retelling, with 24 plates by Theodore Nadejen
Author
Publisher
Printing Details
Undated [1926]. First edition. Hardback in dustwrapper. 27 × 17cm, 335pp.
Skazki: Tales and Legends of Old Russia is a collection of Russian folklore compiled and retold in rhythmic prose by American writer and translator Ida Zeitlin. There are twelve tales: 1. Kyrilo the Tanner; 2. Tsar Saltan; 3. The Soldier and the Demons; 4. Ivan Tsarevitch and the Gray Wolf; 5. The Golden Cock; 6. All-wise Helen; 7. Ruslán and Lyudmila; 8. Sadkó, the Merchant; 9. Kostchei the Deathless; Whither No One Knows; 10. The Sleeping Tsarevna and the Seven Giants; 11. The Snake-Tsarevna; 12. How the Bogatírs were Destroyed in Holy Russia.
The book is illustrated with 24 tipped-in plates of which 12 in full colour and 12 in gold against a black background, with smaller ink illustrations within the text. The artworks were created by Russian expatriate artist Theodore Nadejen, who later married Zeitlin in 1931.
Condition
The book is in good condition. The contents are clean and in strong readable condition, though page 119/122 is neatly detached, and all plates are present with the plate at p216 being bound in at p212. The blue cloth binding has some heavy mottled fading to the joints. The dustwrapper is chipped to the head of the spine and at the corners but remains attractive.
As of July 2026, books remain duty-free. The price of the book incurs no extra US import fees.
Price
£40.00
