Title: The Malachite Casket: Tales from the Urals
Author: Pavel Bazhov, Alan Moray Williams
Illustrator: Unknown
Year: 1944 (First Edition)
Binding: Hardback
Publisher: Hutchinson & Co. (Publishers) Ltd.
Remarks: 1st English language edition
Book Condition: Good/Very Good
Jacket Condition: Good
Author: Pavel Bazhov, Alan Moray Williams
Illustrator: Unknown
Year: 1944 (First Edition)
Binding: Hardback
Publisher: Hutchinson & Co. (Publishers) Ltd.
Remarks: 1st English language edition
Book Condition: Good/Very Good
Jacket Condition: Good
Description:
Adapted from the inside flaps: "In the U.S.S.R. the publication of The Malachite Casket
created something of a literary sensation. These are folk-tales, but with a difference. In them
the recent past of the Ural Mountains is revealed with an unusual blend of realism and
imagination.
Their mythology—for they include several most vivid and highly personalised beings such as The Mistress of the Copper Mine with her attendant lizards, and Poloz the Great Snake, guardian of the treasure—is remarkable for the way it is linked with and reflects the industrial conditions of the Urals' miners and foundry workers in bygone days.
The stories themselves form an integral cycle. Many are almost poetic in form; all are full of colour and folk fantasy; men, women, children and animals are described with real artistry and the book has a unique and unforgettable charm."
Their mythology—for they include several most vivid and highly personalised beings such as The Mistress of the Copper Mine with her attendant lizards, and Poloz the Great Snake, guardian of the treasure—is remarkable for the way it is linked with and reflects the industrial conditions of the Urals' miners and foundry workers in bygone days.
The stories themselves form an integral cycle. Many are almost poetic in form; all are full of colour and folk fantasy; men, women, children and animals are described with real artistry and the book has a unique and unforgettable charm."
The book is in very good condition for its age. Despite being produced to War Economy standards, the pages have generally resisted tanning and foxing. What foxing there is, is confined to the page edges and endpapers. Considering its provenance, the jacket is also in good condition, and is basically complete (there is some very minor loss on the spine and on the front cover). It hasn't been price-clipped, and bears its original price of 9/-. Binding is tight. Previous owner has attached a very decorative two-colour 'anonymous' ex-libris on flyleaf. No illustrations other than the one on the jacket.
A rare title.
Measures 18.5 cm × 12.5 cm (7.4″ × 5″). 12mo. 192 pp.
(SOLD)
