[LIFAR'S EXHIBITION ‘PUSHKIN 1837-1937’] Almanakh na 1838 god [Almanac for the Year 1838], compiled from the literary works of Bernet, V.A. Vladislavlev, P.A. Vyazemsky, F.N. Glinka, E.P. Grebenka, E.I. Guber, V.I. Dal, M.D. Delarue, I.I. Dmitriev, P.P. Ershov [and others], [ed. by V. Vladislavlev]. SPb.: Voennaya tip., 1838. – [4], 352 pages, [1] title leaf, [5] leaves of illustrations; 18 cm. in Russian

The illustrated title page is after a drawing by A. Venetsianov and lithographed on stone by I. Seleznev; the portrait of Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna, engraved by N. Utkin, as well as illustrations after drawings by V. Gau, V. Shebuyev, O. Kiprensky, E. Pluchart, and A. Venetsianov – engravings by N. Utkin, S. Galaktionov, T. Wright, and B. Afanasyev. Publisher’s ornamented cover preserved. In half-leather binding of the period. Banded spine with gilt embossing. In good condition. Binding detached from the text block, small spots, minor traces of moisture on the frontispiece and title page. Blind-stamped ex-libris of V.N. Vitov on pages 3 and 349. On the rear endpaper, an exhibition label from S. Lifar’s exhibition ‘Pushkin. 1837-1937,’ held at the Pleyel Gallery in Paris from March 16 to April 15, 1937. One of the finest literary almanacs of the early 19th century. The publisher was Vladimir Andreyevich Vladislavlev, who continued issuing the almanac for the next five years under the title Utrennyaya Zarya [‘Morning Dawn’]. Vladislavlev’s almanacs were enthusiastically received by the reading public. Vissarion Belinsky wrote: ‘In external elegance and opulence Vladislavlev's almanac is European, in the full meaning of the word; it likely far surpasses the trifles of this kind published in Europe solely for their illustrations.’ (translated from Russian) For the first time, A.S. Pushkin’s poem Proshanie [‘Farewell’] was published posthumously as an independent poem. Previously, it had been printed as lyrics to Esaulov’s romance, which was released as a separate edition in the winter of 1830 – spring of 1831. A great rarity in this condition. Provenance: 1) Collection of the economist and member of the Moscow Society of Bookplate Enthusiasts, Vladimir Nikitich Vitov. 2) S. Lifar’s exhibition ‘Pushkin. 1837-1937.’ Pleyel Concert Hall, March 16 - April 15, 1937. The exhibition featured 11 of Pushkin’s handwritten letters to Natalya Goncharova, a portrait of Pushkin by V.A. Tropinin, the manuscript of Journey to Arzrum, a dueling pistol, and Pushkin’s personal seal. The exhibition’s core was formed from the personal collection of Serge Lifar. Bibliography: Sm.-Sok. Almanakhi i sborniki No. 459; Obolyaninov No. 48; Vereshchagin No. 11; Solovyov No. 105; Redkie knigi No. 12 (‘A very rare almanac, 30 rubles’).