Rare 1949 Soviet Book: Aleksandr Sergeyevich Pushkin – Ivan Novikov | Tsar to Soviet Books

Rare 1949 Stalin-Era Biography: "Aleksandr Sergeyevich Pushkin" by Ivan Novikov

For scholars of Russian classical literature, Pushkiniana collectors, and enthusiasts of Stalin-era book design, this 1949 original Soviet hardcover biography is a notable collector's item. Published in Moscow by Detgiz (Фабрика детской книги Детгиза), Aleksandr Sergeyevich Pushkin (Александр Сергеевич Пушкин) was authored by premier Soviet novelist and scholar Ivan Alekseyevich Novikov.

Issued for the official 150th anniversary of Pushkin's birth (1799–1949), this 192-page volume is encased in blue-grey cloth decorated with an ornate blind-embossed oak-wreath medallion.

Pushkin's Life, Decembrist Ties & Archival Portrait Inserts

Novikov's biography traces the life of Russia's national poet across 14 structured chapters:

• Chronological Life Survey: Covers Pushkin's childhood, Lyceum years, political poetry, southern exile (Kishinev, Odessa), Mikhailovskoye, Boldino Autumn, marriage to Natalia Goncharova, and his final duel.

• Historical Inserts & Decembrist Notes: Features accounts of Pushkin's relationship with Decembrist leader Pavel Pestel, Dolgorukov's political diaries, and political verse commentary.

• Tipped-In Portrait Plates: Includes art plates of Vasily L. Pushkin (after Jean Vivien), Natalia N. Pushkina (after Karl Bryullov), and Pavel Pestel.

• 1949 Tbilisi Provenance: Inner flyleaf retains a handwritten period ex-libris inscription dated November 19, 1949 ("Из книг Н. Г. Годердзишвили. 19.11.49 г. Тбилиси").

Complete Bibliographic Specifications

• Title: Александр Сергеевич Пушкин (Aleksandr Sergeyevich Pushkin)

• Author: Ivan Alekseyevich Novikov (Иван Новиков)

• Publisher: "Detgiz" Publishing House (Москва)

• Publication Date: 1949 (Moscow, USSR)

• Language: Russian (with 1949 Tbilisi handwritten owner inscription)

• Binding: Original publisher's blind-embossed cloth hardcover

• Print Run / Circulation: 30,000 copies (Тираж 30000)

• Page Count: 192 pages + plate inserts

• Classification: Pushkin Studies / Soviet Literary Biographies / Stalin-Era Jubilee Imprints

Condition & Preservation Report

• Exterior Condition: Original blue-grey cloth boards are rigid, flat, and clean with distinct blind-embossed oak-leaf detailing.

• Binding Integrity: Firm, square text block with early cloth reinforcement along the front inner hinge.

• Page & Plate Quality: Text pages and portrait inserts are clean and unmarked, showing uniform light cream age-toning typical of late-1940s Soviet paper stock. Free from modern pen markings or library stamps.