Libraries of Russia: Editions from N. P. Smirnov-Sokolsky’s collection go on display at the Russian State Library

The Russian State Library (Moscow) has opened an exhibition which presents publications from the collection of N. P. Smirnov-Sokolsky — an actor, one of the founders of Moscow Theatre of Variety Art, book historian, and bibliographer. When Nikolai Smirnov-Sokolsky passed away, his library numbering over 19 000 volumes was donated to Vladimir Lenin State Library. The exposition showcases rare and often only copies of publications.

Nikolai Smirnov-Sokolsky spent many years collecting first and lifetime editions by Russian classical authors of 18th—20th cc., rare periodicals; books forbidden by Imperial censorship; albums, works on book studies and bibliographic editions. Nevertheless, his gathering practice began with collection of posters, theatre programs and reviews. They were later followed by literary miscellanies, magazines, collected works etc.

Particular interest of Smirnov-Sokolsky in Russian classics is reflected in the copies of I. A. Krylov’s “Fables” edition published in Paris in 1825, first and lifetime editions of Alexander Pushkin’s “Count Nulin” and “The Robber Brothers” (1827), Nikolai Gogol’s “Nevsky Prospect” illustrated by D. N. Kardovsky of 1905.

The collector was especially interested in editions, which were destroyed for censorship reasons. In this category the honorary place is occupied by a distressful “Journey from St. Petersburg to Moscow” by Radishchev. Visitors of the exhibition may discover an edition which came out in St. Petersburg in 1903.

Visitors will also have an opportunity to see rare reference books and periodicals of 18th—19th centuries — “Post book for St. Petersburg. 1822”, “The shop of English, French and German new fashions” (1791), “Description and drawings of forty styles of tie wearing” (1829).

A part of N. P. Smirnov-Sokolsky’s collection can be also found in the permanent exposition of the Book Museum. About one thousand copies (periodicals, collected works etc.) — in “Bibliophile’s Study” section; a small-sized children’s literary miscellany “Golden flowers” of 1844 — in the section “From the history of illustration technique”. In “The fates of books” section one can learn about the history of “Poems unpublished in Russia” edition by Alexander Pushkin, 1908 which was forbidden by censorship and nearly completely destroyed.