Rare 1981 Soviet Book: Persian Chrestomathy (Vol 1) – D. Kobidze | Tsar to Soviet Books

Rare 1981 Soviet Iranological Anthology: "Persian Chrestomathy" (Vol. 1) by David Kobidze

For Iranologists, scholars of Persian classical literature, and collectors of Soviet academic Orientalia, this 1981 original Soviet hardcover chrestomathy is a classic volume. Published in Tbilisi by Tbilisi State University Press (თბილისის უნივერსიტეტის გამომცემლობა / Издательство Тбилисского Университета), Persian Chrestomathy: Volume I (სპარსული ქრესტომათია: I / Персидская хрестоматия: I / منتخبات فارسی) was compiled by pioneering Georgian Iranologist David Ivanovich Kobidze.

Printed in a limited academic print run of only 2,000 copies, this 550+ page volume provides complete critical editions of classical Persian poetry printed in original Arabic/Farsi typography with Georgian and Russian scholarly introductions.

From Ferdowsi's Shahnameh to Classical Ghazals & Sufi Epics

Edited by leading Orientalists Al. Gvakhariya and J. Giunashvili, this volume compiles foundational masterpieces of Persian literature:

• The Epic Heritage: Complete poetic cantos from Ferdowsi's Shahnameh (شاهنامه / Book of Kings), featuring the Zahhak narrative, alongside Samanid fragments by Daqiqi (دقیقی).

• Court Lyrics & Ghazals: Selections from Onsori Balkhi (عنصری, including Vamiq and 'Azra), Manuchehri, Mas'ud Sa'd Salman, Sanai, and Anvari.

• Late Classical & Romantic Masnavis: Works by Salman Savaji, Kamal Khujandi, and Maktabi Shirazi's 1490 poem Layla and Majnun (لیلی و مجنون).

• Scholarly Apparatus: Detailed biographical profiles, literary historical essays, poetic rhyme schemes, and comparative bibliographical citations referencing international Iranologists (Jan Rypka, Jiří Bečka, and V. Kotetishvili).

Complete Bibliographic Specifications

• Title: სპარსული ქრესტომათია: I / Персидская хрестоматия: I / منتخبات فارسی (Persian Chrestomathy: Volume 1)

• Author / Compiler: Professor David Ivanovich Kobidze (დავით კობიძე / Д. И. Кобидзе)

• Editors: Al. Gvakhariya (ალ. გვახარია) & J. Giunashvili (ჯ. გიუნაშვილი)

• Publisher: Tbilisi State University Press (თბილისი)

• Publication Date: 1981 (2nd Revised Edition, Tbilisi, Georgian SSR)

• Languages: Persian (poetic texts), Georgian, and Russian

• Binding: Original publisher's textured hardcover, bilingual calligraphic printing

• Print Run / Circulation: 2,000 copies (Тираж 2000)

• Page Count: 550+ pages

• Classification: Iranology & Persian Literature / Soviet Orientalist Studies / University Anthologies

Condition & Preservation Report

• Exterior Condition: Original hardcover boards are clean, flat, and rigid. Calligraphic printing on front and back boards remains clear and unrubbed.

• Provenance: Authentic vintage institutional ex-library copy from a scientific library, marked with period ink stamps on the title leaves.

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

• Page Quality: Interior pages and Persian script typography are clean and completely legible, showing uniform light cream age-toning. Free from marginal notation, modern pen markings, or loose leaves.