Maria Menzikoff and Fedor Dolgoronki. A Russian Tale Founded on Fact..
by [Juvenile]
- Used
- first
- Condition
- See description
- Seller
-
Pasadena, California, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
London: J. Bailey, 1800. First edition in English. Modern card wrappers, measuring 173 x 105mm and collating complete including frontis: [2], 28. Bookplate of children's collector Albert Howard to recto of rear wrap. 3.75 inch tear along title, repaired along verso; some toning along fore-edge of text block and outer margins. A scarce and delicate piece which does not appear in the modern auction record and which OCLC reports at only 4 libraries, and a testament to the rising popularity of Russian fashion and literature in England during the late Georgian and early Regency periods.
While Russophobia would set into English culture later in the century, the late Georgian and early Regency periods saw a rise of cultural exchange and admiration as the two nations allied against Napoleon. The present is an example of Russian-inspired literature translated into English for juvenile audiences. A romance that appeared first in French and Italian, Maria Menzikoff presented the star-crossed courtship, marriage, and death of two royals from competing families; and for young readers, it had the appeal of a familiar plot (to which both Ovid's Pyramis and Thisbe and Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet would have introduced them) as well as the exotic and fashionable novelty of a Russian imperial setting. The strength of women -- as monarchs, as wives, and as individuals -- is highlighted throughout.
While Russophobia would set into English culture later in the century, the late Georgian and early Regency periods saw a rise of cultural exchange and admiration as the two nations allied against Napoleon. The present is an example of Russian-inspired literature translated into English for juvenile audiences. A romance that appeared first in French and Italian, Maria Menzikoff presented the star-crossed courtship, marriage, and death of two royals from competing families; and for young readers, it had the appeal of a familiar plot (to which both Ovid's Pyramis and Thisbe and Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet would have introduced them) as well as the exotic and fashionable novelty of a Russian imperial setting. The strength of women -- as monarchs, as wives, and as individuals -- is highlighted throughout.
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Details
- Bookseller
- Whitmore Rare Books (US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 5087
- Title
- Maria Menzikoff and Fedor Dolgoronki. A Russian Tale Founded on Fact..
- Author
- [Juvenile]
- Book Condition
- Used
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Edition
- First edition in English
- Publisher
- J. Bailey
- Place of Publication
- London
- Date Published
- 1800
Terms of Sale
Whitmore Rare Books
15 day return guarantee, with full refund if an item arrives damaged or not matching the description.
About the Seller
Whitmore Rare Books
Biblio member since 2009
Pasadena, California
About Whitmore Rare Books
We operate a retail shop in "Old Town" Pasadena open normal business hours Tuesday through Saturday.
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- Text Block
- Most simply the inside pages of a book. More precisely, the block of paper formed by the cut and stacked pages of a book....
- Recto
- The page on the right side of a book, with the term Verso used to describe the page on the left side.
- Bookplate
- Highly sought after by some collectors, a book plate is an inscribed or decorative device that identifies the owner, or former...
- First Edition
- In book collecting, the first edition is the earliest published form of a book. A book may have more than one first edition in...
- Wrappers
- The paper covering on the outside of a paperback. Also see the entry for pictorial wraps, color illustrated coverings for...