1880 Antique Russian Literary Sammelband Italian Fiction Delo Magazine Imperial Binding

Up for sale is an extraordinary late-19th-century Imperial Russian literary sammelband — a custom-bound anthology volume compiled from serialized fiction published in the famous Russian journals Delo (Дело) and Otechestvennye Zapiski (Отечественные записки) in 1880.

During the Imperial era, Russian readers and bibliophiles often removed favorite novels and literary works from monthly “thick journals” and commissioned private bindings to preserve them as unique personal library editions. This remarkable surviving example represents exactly that tradition: a handmade literary collection focused on Italian realist and historical fiction translated into Russian.

The volume retains its beautiful period half-cloth binding with decorative marbled paper boards and includes a handwritten original table of contents on the flyleaf, listing the included works in pre-revolutionary orthography.

Among the notable works compiled in this anthology are translations of novels and stories by celebrated Italian authors including Marchesa Colombi, Raffaello Giovagnoli, and Marc Monnier.

Included Literary Works:

• Loss of an Ideal (Потеря идеала) — by Marchesa Colombi
• The Rice Fields (В рисовых полях) — by Marchesa Colombi
• Spartacus (Спартак) — historical novel by Raffaello Giovagnoli
• The Camorristi (Каморристы) — crime and social novel by Marc Monnier
• Additional works by Italian realist authors including Serrao, Onuffrio, and Sacchetti

This artifact is highly valuable for collectors of Imperial Russian books, rare periodicals, custom bindings, and early Russian translations of European literature.

Key Features:

• Authentic 1880 Imperial Russian custom-bound sammelband
• Extracted from major Russian literary journals of the era
• Original handwritten contents page preserved
• Pre-revolutionary Russian orthography throughout
• Decorative marbled boards and period half-cloth binding
• Rare example of 19th-century Russian private library culture

Item Specifics

• Year: 1880
• Source Journals: Delo and Otechestvennye Zapiski
• Language: Russian (pre-1918 orthography)
• Subject: Italian Fiction / Imperial Russian Literature
• Format: Antique Hardcover Sammelband
• Binding: Half-cloth with marbled paper boards
• Contents: Multiple translated novels and stories

Condition

Good antique condition for a volume over 145 years old.
The original marbled boards show expected rubbing and edge wear consistent with age. Binding remains stable and structurally sound. Interior pages are complete and fully legible with natural toning, occasional foxing, and light historical handling wear. No major modern repairs noted. Please review all photographs carefully for exact cosmetic and structural condition.

Shipping

• Carefully packed using archival-safe protective materials
• Worldwide tracked shipping available
• Combined shipping offered for multiple purchases