Vintage 1986 Soviet Book: Georgian Folk Tales – Ganatleba Tbilisi | Tsar to Soviet Books

Classic 1986 Soviet Folklore Anthology: "Georgian Folk Tales" (Ganatleba, Tbilisi)

For collectors of world folklore, scholars of Caucasian mythology, and lovers of vintage Soviet illustrated book design, this 1986 original Soviet hardcover volume is a cornerstone cultural compilation. Published in Tbilisi by Ganatleba (Издательство «Ганатлеба»), Georgian Folk Tales (Грузинские народные сказки) was edited and introduced by folklorist Professor M. Chikovani with scholarly oversight by Professor A. Glonti.

Bound in an olive-green woven cloth hardcover with decorative light-blue folk typography, this ~360-page volume brings together the fairy tales, heroic sagas, and animal legends of Georgia.

The Legend of Amiran, Mythical Devis & Caucasian Magical Lore This anthology gathers folklore from across the Georgian provinces:

• Heroic Epics & Archaic Myths: The core saga of Amiran («Амиран»), the mythical titan chained to Mount Kazbek, alongside the tragic romance of Abesalom and Eteri («Абесалом и Этери») and The Hunter from Lilo («Охотник из Лило»).

• Magical Adventures & Transformations: Stories of brave youths outwitting nine-headed ogres (дэвы), winged stallions (раши), sorceresses of Kadjeti, the mythical bird Paskundji, and enchanted animal brides.

• Trickster & Peasant Satires: Traditional short parables celebrating quick wit, village humor, and common sense over kings and wealthy landowners.

• Authentic Regional Book Design: Illustrated by T. Karbelashvili and styled by graphic artist T. Varvaridze with stylized headpieces and folkloric typography.

Complete Bibliographic Specifications

• Title: Грузинские народные сказки (Georgian Folk Tales)

• Compiler & Commentary: Prof. M. Chikovani (проф. М. Чиковани)

• Consultant: Prof. A. Glonti (проф. А. Глонти)

• Illustrator: T. Karbelashvili (Т. Карбелашвили)

• Design: T. Varvaridze (Т. Варваридзе)

• Publisher: "Ganatleba" Publishing House (Тбилиси)

• Publication Date: 1986 (Tbilisi, Georgian SSR)

• Language: Russian

• Binding: Original publisher's stamped cloth hardcover

• Page Count: ~360 pages with illustrations and notes

• Classification: Caucasian Folklore / Georgian Fairy Tales & Mythology / Soviet Regional Editions

Condition & Preservation Report

• Exterior Condition: Original olive-green cloth boards are clean, flat, and rigid with bright front-board stamping and minimal corner shelf wear.

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

• Page Quality: Interior pages, chapter headpieces, and decorative vignettes are clean and unmarked, exhibiting uniform light cream age-toning typical of 1980s Soviet regional publications. Free from marginal notation, underlining, library stamps, or owner signatures.