Previous Publications
POEMS
A selection of poems by Oleg Grigoryev, a cult figure in the Leningrad underground creative scene in the second half of the 20th century, illustrated ironically by the poet’s friend, the artist Alexander Florensky, one of the founders of the Mitki art group.
THE TROJAN WAR
Passages from the works of ancient writers
The Trojan War is a myth, a fairy tale and a true story. The Ancient Greeks were convinced of its undoubted reality. Everything that has come down to us about the Trojan War is expressed in the highly artistic form of epic poems. This publication contains the most characteristic passages from the works of a dozen ancient writers.
THE SLEEPING BEAUTY
This bibliophilic publication of The Sleeping Beauty was created as part of a unique joint project with Russia’s State Academic Bolshoi Theatre. Nobody previously had ever come up with the idea of illustrating a musical score. For the first time in the history of book-printing worldwide, a work was produced that combined the art forms of book, music and theatre.
SPARTACUS
The publication of Spartacus was part of a unique joint project with Russia’s State Academic Bolshoi Theatre.A handwritten score of the ballet is accompanied by illustrations executed in a mixed technique by People’s Artist of Georgia Mamia Malazonia.
HONEY
This indisputably valuable edition of the poem by the outstanding Italian poet, artist, sculptor, author and scriptwriter Tonino Guerra includes original works created by the maestro especially for this book.
THE LAY OF IGOR’S HOST
Presentation copy
A presentation version of the greatest work of Early Russian literature from the 12th century. The book’s cover, decorated with a sumptuous composition of precious metals and stones, is a worthy setting for engravings by Honoured Artist of the Russian Federation Yury Lyukshin that are astonishing in their beauty and emotional intensity, as well as the text of the poem written out by hand in ustav, the uncial-style script that is the earliest form of Cyrillic writing.
THE BOOK OF ECCLESIASTES or THE PREACHER
The second edition of one of the most enigmatic and ambiguous books of the biblical canon to be produced by the Rare Books from Saint Petersburg publishing house. The illustrations by the outstanding artist Yury Lyukshin are fascinating, forcing viewers to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of philosophical allegory and gradually come to comprehend its full depth and multiplicity of meaning.
ECCLESIASTES
The first edition of the Book of Ecclesiastes brought out by the Rare Books from Saint Petersburg publishing house. One of the most enigmatic and ambiguous books of the biblical canon is adorned by colourful illustrations produced by the artist Yury Lyukshin in a technique combining etching and aquatint, then hand-tinted with watercolour.
THE BOOK OF JOB
The canonical Old Testament book tells of the righteous Job, whose faith is questioned by Satan and tested by God. While enduring sufferings, privations and adversities in his life, Job demonstrated his piety and received his reward. This edition includes fascinating works by the artist YuryKuper that are full of symbolism.
DE ADMINISTRANDO IMPERIO
Asecret document written in the 10th century by Byzantine Emperor Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus and addressed to his son and heir, the future RomanosII. The treatise, full of worldly wisdom, is a lecture or manual for a monarch on how to rule the state successfully.
THE GONZAGA CAMEO
The fascinating story of a rarity from Classical Antiquity, one of the most celebrated masterpieces and rarest examples of ancient glyptic art– the Gonzaga Cameo. The text was written by Oleg Yakovlevich Neverov, Candidate of Historical Sciences, art historian, leading researcher in the State Hermitage’s Department of Classical Antiquity, keeper of the collection of ancient carved stones.
THE SAGAS OF ICELANDERS
This publication is based on four Icelandic “family sagas”. The calligraphically written text of the tales is accompanied by illustrations created by four gifted Russian artists. The book was accorded its own individual exhibition in the State Hermitage in 2004.
THE DECALOGUE
Exodus 20:2–17
This was the first edition of the Decalogue that our publishing house produced. The design of the book, its format, the materials used, the graphic art, colour and texture are all intended to recreate the historical flavour and spirit of the Exodus, the time when the Ten Commandments were first revealed to humanity. This publication was accorded its own individual exhibition in the State Hermitage in 2006.
THE TALE OF THE FISHERMAN AND THE FISH
TIME AND PLACE
Poems
A first publication of verses by the poet, Sumerologist, translator and senior researcher in the State Hermitage’s Department of the East Veronika Afanasyeva, Doctor of Historical Sciences, in a book with illustrations by the Hermitage’s Chief Artist, Victor Pavlov, made in a xerographic technique of his own invention.
THE QUEEN OF SPADES
The most mysterious and mystical work in the oeuvre of the greatest Russian poet and writer, Alexander Pushkin. The dominant motif in the book’s composition is the theme of card games– the driving force of the literary plot, which can be detected in every element of the publication’s design.
SEVEN INCANTATIONS, PRAYERS AND RITUAL SONGS FROM THE POETRY OF SUMERIA AND BABYLONIA
An unusual experiment that brings together three art forms: sculpture, ceramics and printing. The book with pages made from Jelgava clay presents brilliant translations from the “dead” Sumerian and Akkadian languages and sculptural reliefs full of symbolic meaning. In 2001, this publication was shown in an individual exhibition in the State Hermitage museum.
THE TALE OF THE DISPUTE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH
A translation of one of the German verse dialogues between Life and Death, reflecting a frequently occurring theme in the literature and art of European countries in the late Middle Ages. The handwritten text and the lithographic illustrations are the workof the artist Sergei Charkin.
POEMS
An anthology of poems by the Ancient Greek poet and Epicurean philosopher Philodemus. The handwritten text and lithographs are the work of the prominent Saint Petersburg artist Andrei Pakhomov.
PSALMS
One of the most important books in the history of humanity, a repository of secrets of the past and future, superbly illustrated by the prominent Saint Petersburg artist Pavel Tatarnikov in the etching technique.
BESTIARY
A mediaeval anthology of zoological articles executed in the style of a type of Russian folk art– the humorous, fabulous lubok (popular print). The handwritten text of the amusing tales and comical illustrations are the work of the artist Alexander Andreyev.
THE PYTHIAN ODES
Triumphant choral verses by Pindar, one of Ancient Greece’s most significant poets, included in the in the canonical list of Nine Lyric Poets. The splendid images that he conjures up with the aid of bold associations and a rich rhythmical pattern are captured in the illustrations produced by the artist Niyaz Khaziakhmetov in the monotype technique.
SONNETS
Shakespeare’s sonnets are the pinnacle of English Renaissance verse and an important stage in the history of poetry worldwide. A lyrical confession, a passionate monologue telling of enduring spiritual values– friendship, love, art, accompanied by woodcuts made by the Saint Petersburg artist Sergei Shvemberger.
TEN POEMS
Selected verses by the Ancient Greek poetess and musician Sappho, full of sensuality and personal emotional experience. The handwritten text and pencil drawings created by the artist Andrei Pakhomov are consonant with the simplicity and vivid brightness of the poems.
Drawings from life made on lithographic stones and printed under the supervision of the artist
The first book produced in the publishing house. The concise simplicity and restrained style of the cover design underlines the care taken in the choice of paper and the elegance of the illustrations created by the artist Andrei Pakhomov (1947-2015).