The Poem "The Twelve", by Alexander Blok – Four Russian Editions, 1918-1922 – Illustrations by Yury Annenkov ...

The Poem "The Twelve", by Alexander Blok – Four Russian Editions, 1918-1922 – Illustrations by Yury Annenkov, Wassili Masjutin and Ivan Milev
Four Russian editions of the poem "The Twleve" (Двенадцать) by poet Alexander Blok (1880-1921). Berlin, Sofia and Simferopol, ca. 1918-1922. Illustrations by Yury Annenkov, Wassili Masjutin and Ivan Milev.
The poem "The Twelve", describing a march of twelve revolutionary soldiers in the streets of Petrograd during a storm, was written by Alexander Blok in January 1918, several months after the Bolshevik Revolution. The poem, nowadays considered one of the best-known works of Russian poetry, was subjected to much criticism when first published. It is told that after its writing Blok felt his literary career had come to an end.
1. "The Twelve". Berlin: Алконост (Alkonost), 1918. Third edition (of three editions printed in the year the poem was written).
The book contains illustrations by Russian artist Yury Annenkov (1889-1974), which are considered his best-known works.
61, [3] pp + [1] leaf (reproduction of a portrait of Alexander Blok by Konstantin Somov; from another book), 31 cm. Rebound in hard cover, lacking original cover. Fair condition. Stains. Closed and open tears, some large and some reinforced with paper and tape. Damaged binding, loose.
2. "The Twelve". Sofia, Bulgaria: "Russian-Bulgarian Publishing" (Российско-Болгарское книгоиздательство), [1920]. Cover design by artist Ivan Milev (1897-1927), a prominent representative of Bulgarian Modernism.
36 pp, 22 cm. Fair-good condition. Detached cover and leaves (lacking spine). Stains throughout the booklet; numerous stains to cover. Tears to edges of several leaves and edges of cover. Minor creases.
3. "The Twelve". Simferopol, 1921. Without illustrations.
15, [1] pp (including cover), 21 cm. Good-fair condition. Dampstains. Creases and several small tears to edges.
4. "The Twelve". Berlin: Нева (Neva), [1922?]. Front cover illustration and four illustrations inside the book by artist Wassili Masjutin (1884-1955). Masjutin was born in Riga, studied art in Moscow and specialized in printmaking. Since 1921, he lived in Berlin, where he worked as a painter, sculptor, graphic designer and book illustrator.
[3] leaves, 22 pp, [2] leaves + [4] plates (illustrations), 24 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Open tears to edges of cover and spine.
Enclosed is an additional copy of the poem published by Neva (no. 4), with back cover lacking.
Provenance: The collection of Uzi Agassi.