Rare 1949 Soviet Book: Architect Vasily Bazhenov – Academy of Architecture USSR | Tsar to Soviet Books

Rare 1949 Soviet Architectural Monograph: "Bazhenov" (Academy of Architecture USSR)

For architectural historians, classicists, and collectors of rare Stalin-era academic imprints, this 1949 original Soviet hardcover monograph is a fundamental primary reference. Published in Moscow by the Publishing House of the Academy of Architecture of the USSR (Издательство Академии Архитектуры СССР), Bazhenov (Баженов) was co-authored by scholars E. G. Chernov and A. V. Shishko, with book design by architect-artist E. E. Lansere.

Issued in a limited print run of 9,000 copies for the 150th anniversary of the architect's death (1799–1949), this 160-page monograph documents the life and works of Vasily Ivanovich Bazhenov.

The Grand Kremlin Palace, Tsaritsyno & Russian Neoclassicism

This volume surveys Bazhenov's major contributions to 18th-century Russian architecture:

• Grand Kremlin Palace Model: In-depth examination of the monumental 1768–1775 neoclassical project to redevelop the Moscow Kremlin.

• Tsaritsyno Palace Ensemble: Analysis of the romantic Gothic Revival estate commissioned by Empress Catherine II.

• Pashkov House (Пашков дом): Architectural history of Moscow's premier Enlightenment palace.

• Technical Drawings & Cutaways: Features axonometric cross-sections (such as the church in Cherkizovo-Starki), Smolny Institute facade studies, and early works executed under Bartolomeo Rastrelli.

Complete Bibliographic Specifications

• Title: Баженов (Bazhenov: 1737–1799)

• Authors: E. G. Chernov (Е. Г. Чернов) & A. V. Shishko (А. В. Шишко)

• Book Designer: E. E. Lansere (Е. Е. Лансере)

• Publisher: Academy of Architecture of the USSR (Москва)

• Publication Date: 1949 (Moscow, USSR)

• Language: Russian

• Binding: Original publisher's cloth-backed paper hardcover

• Print Run / Circulation: 9,000 copies (Тираж 9000)

• Page Count: 160 pages, illustrated

• Classification: Russian Neoclassical Architecture / 18th-Century Russian Art / Soviet Architectural Monographs

Condition & Preservation Report

• Exterior Condition: Original cloth-backed paper boards are clean, flat, and rigid with light, natural handling rubbing along outer extremities.

• Provenance: Authentic vintage institutional ex-library copy from the Tbilisi City Museum Library (Библиотека музея гор. Тбилиси), marked with clean ink stamps on the title page and contents leaf.

• Binding Integrity: Exceptionally firm, square, and tight text block with intact hinges.

• Page & Plate Quality: Interior text pages and architectural drawings are clean and completely legible, showing uniform light cream age-toning typical of late-1940s Soviet paper stocks. Free of modern scribbles or loose leaves.