Vintage 1976 Soviet Book: Taras Bulba – Nikolai Gogol (Ill. Evgeny Kibrik) | Tsar to Soviet Books

Vintage 1976 Soviet Illustrated Classic: "Taras Bulba" by Nikolai Gogol

For collectors of Russian classical literature, Soviet graphic illustration, and historical fiction, this 1976 original Soviet hardcover is a timeless volume. Published in Moscow by Detskaya Literatura (Издательство «Детская литература») as part of the esteemed "School Library" (Школьная библиотека) series, Taras Bulba (Тарас Бульба) is Nikolai Gogol’s masterpiece of Cossack brotherhood, love, and sacrifice.

Bound with a blue cloth spine and a bold front cover portrait of Taras Bulba, this edition is distinguished by the expressive artwork of Evgeny Kibrik and typography engineered by Solomon Telingater.

Master Cossack Epic & Soviet Graphic Art

Gogol’s 17th-century narrative following Old Taras and his sons Ostap and Andriy comes alive through top-tier Soviet publication craftsmanship:

• Evgeny Kibrik's Iconic Plates: Features Kibrik’s powerful, psychological black-and-white plates depicting key moments—from the Zaporozhian Sich gatherings to dramatic battle scenes and intimate encounters.

• Solomon Telingater Typographic Layout: Designed by USSR State Prize winner Solomon Telingater, featuring stylized drop caps and balanced page compositions.

• Scholarly Commentary: Complete with a historical-literary afterword by S. Mashinsky and detailed explanatory notes by A. Slonimsky.

Complete Bibliographic Specifications

• Title: Тарас Бульба (Taras Bulba)

• Author: Nikolai Vasilievich Gogol (Н. В. Гоголь)

• Illustrator: Evgeny Abramovich Kibrik (Е. А. Кибрик)

• Book Designer: Solomon Telingater (С. Телингатер)

• Publisher: "Detskaya Literatura" Publishing House (Москва)

• Publication Date: 1976 (6th Edition, USSR)

• Language: Russian

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

• Page Count: 175 pages, illustrated

• Classification: Russian Classical Literature / Cossack History / Soviet Illustrated Books

Condition & Preservation Report

• Exterior Condition: The hardcover boards are flat, firm, and clean. The cloth spine is completely solid. The front board displays crisp typography with minor corner shelf wear.

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

• Paper & Plate Quality: Interior text pages and Kibrik's art plates are clean and unmarked, showing uniform light cream age-toning typical of 1970s Soviet paper stocks. Free from marginal notation, library markings, or owner signatures.