Russia.- Rovinsky (Dimitry) Russkia Nardodniva Kartinki, 3 plate vol. in 4 (ie without the text), [one of 250 copies], 458 plates only (of at least 475), many hand-coloured, some folding, some foxing and browning, occasionally heavy, many margins water-stained, a few repairs, but generally plates in sound condition, printed titles and lists of plates (not always accurate), many plates with red ink library stamp of Société des Artistes Russes à Paris, usually to margins, one binding loose, contemporary black half morocco, rubbed, spine ends worn, folio, St. Petersburg, 1881; sold not subject to return

⁂ This rare and important work covers the period 1627 to 1839 (when pictorial broadsheets were brought under censorship) and the plates depict all aspects of Russian life, folklore, legends, political satires, historical subjects (including over 200 Napoleonic caricatures, many by Terebenev), portraits, maps, views, prophecies, alphabets etc. There are some 4000 individual illustrations. Included are the celebrated caricatures of Peter the Great as the Great Cat of Astrakhan. No copy at auction since this one at Bloomsbury in 1999.