12. BENOIS, Alexandre [Aleksandr Nikolaevich Benua] (1870-1960, illustrator) and Aleksandr Sergyeevich PUSHKIN (1799-1837). Pikova dama [The Queen of Spades]. St.Petersburg: R.Golike and A.Vilborg, 1911. 69 pp., large 4to (296 x 235 mm). Introductory essay by N. Lerner. Text printed in black within a light grey printed border. 15 mounted colored plates, 14 colored illustrations, all after Benois. Contemporary black morocco, covers panelled in gilt and blind, spine divided into six compartments by gilt fillets, lettered in the second compartment, the others with simple repeat tooling in blind, patterned endpapers, t.e.g. Condition: some spotting and marginal soiling; repairs to inner hinges, tears to endpapers; ink stamps on rear pastedown.
Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece based on Pushkin’s Pikovaya dama was Benois’ favorite opera. Although he provided some of the décor for a 1903 production, it was not until May 1921 that Benois produced and adapted Modest Ilich Tchaikovsky’s libretto and designed all the sets and the costumes for the State Theater for Opera and Ballet in Petrograd. These illustrations dating from a decade before obviously influenced his contribution to the 1921 production.
est. $2500 – $3500
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Unsold