Four Russian editions of the poem "The Twleve" (Двенадцать) by poet Alexander Blok (1880-1921). Berlin, Sofia and Simferopol, ca. 1918-1922. Illustrations by Yury Annenkov, Wassili Masjutin and Ivan Milev.
The poem "The Twelve", describing a march of twelve revolutionary soldiers in the streets of Petrograd during a storm, was written by Alexander Blok in January 1918, several months after the Bolshevik Revolution. The poem, nowadays considered one of the best-known works of Russian poetry, was subjected to much criticism when first published. It is told that after its writing Blok felt his literary career had come to an end.
1. "The Twelve". Berlin: Алконост (Alkonost), 1918. Third edition (of three editions printed in the year the poem was written).
The book contains illustrations by Russian artist Yury Annenkov (1889-1974), which are considered his best-known works.
61, [3] pp + [1] leaf (reproduction of a portrait of Alexander Blok by Konstantin Somov; from another book), 31 cm. Rebound in hard cover, lacking original cover. Fair condition. Stains. Closed and open tears, some large and some reinforced with paper and tape. Damaged binding, loose.
2. "The Twelve". Sofia, Bulgaria: "Russian-Bulgarian Publishing" (Российско-Болгарское книгоиздательство), [1920]. Cover design by artist Ivan Milev (1897-1927), a prominent representative of Bulgarian Modernism.
36 pp, 22 cm. Fair-good condition. Detached cover and leaves (lacking spine). Stains throughout the booklet; numerous stains to cover. Tears to edges of several leaves and edges of cover. Minor creases.
3. "The Twelve". Simferopol, 1921. Without illustrations.
15, [1] pp (including cover), 21 cm. Good-fair condition. Dampstains. Creases and several small tears to edges.
4. "The Twelve". Berlin: Нева (Neva), [1922?]. Front cover illustration and four illustrations inside the book by artist Wassili Masjutin (1884-1955). Masjutin was born in Riga, studied art in Moscow and specialized in printmaking. Since 1921, he lived in Berlin, where he worked as a painter, sculptor, graphic designer and book illustrator.
[3] leaves, 22 pp, [2] leaves + [4] plates (illustrations), 24 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Open tears to edges of cover and spine.
Enclosed is an additional copy of the poem published by Neva (no. 4), with back cover lacking.
Provenance: The collection of Uzi Agassi.

Yisakhar Ber Rybak (1897-1935), Jewish ornament.
Sketch in pencil. Captioned (in pencil): "Judische Ornamente, J. Ryback". Stamped on verso with the stamp: "Estate J. Ryback".
Leaf: 30X23 cm. Good condition. Stains and minor blemishes. Traces of mounting and blemishes on verso. Matted.
Yisakhar Ber Rybak (1897-1935), native of Elisavetgrad, Russia (today Kropyvnytskyi, Ukraine), painter, graphic artist, and sculptor; one of the most prominent artists of the Russian-Jewish avant-garde. Studied at the Academy of Art in Kiev and in the studio of Aleksandra Ekster. In 1915-16, he was a member of the ethnographic expedition, headed by Shlomo An-ski, that aimed to document the culture of the Jewish communities of Podolia and Volhynia, and, working side-by-side with El Lissitzky, he produced copy-sketches of tombstones and monuments and documented the popular art he observed in the wooden synagogues of villages in the Pale of Settlement. For Rybak, this experience marked the beginnings of an enduring love affair with themes borrowed from popular Jewish tradition, and these themes and motifs provided the elemental foundations for his future work. He became one of the most active and outspoken artists of the "Kultur Lige" ("Culture League"), and taught drawing in the school that operated under the auspices of its art division. In 1921, he moved to Berlin, where he joined the "November Gruppe" and participated in joint exhibitions with other member artists. Rybak subsequently returned briefly to the Soviet Union and then moved to Paris, where he died in 1935.
Provenance: The Estate of Yisakhar Ber Rybak.

Yisakhar Ber Rybak (1897-1935), sketch of an illustrated title page for the calendar Jüdischer Illustrierter Kalender for the Hebrew year 5685 (1924-1925).
Pencil on paper.
Leaf: 18X11 cm. in a 34X27 cm frame. Good condition. Creases. Few stains. Minor blemishes to frame. Unexamined outside of frame.
Yisakhar Ber Rybak (1897-1935), native of Elisavetgrad, Russia (today Kropyvnytskyi, Ukraine), painter, graphic artist, and sculptor; one of the most prominent artists of the Russian-Jewish avant-garde. Studied at the Academy of Art in Kiev and in the studio of Aleksandra Ekster. In 1915-16, he was a member of the ethnographic expedition, headed by Shlomo An-ski, that aimed to document the culture of the Jewish communities of Podolia and Volhynia, and, working side-by-side with El Lissitzky, he produced copy-sketches of tombstones and monuments and documented the popular art he observed in the wooden synagogues of villages in the Pale of Settlement. For Rybak, this experience marked the beginnings of an enduring love affair with themes borrowed from popular Jewish tradition, and these themes and motifs provided the elemental foundations for his future work. He became one of the most active and outspoken artists of the "Kultur Lige" ("Culture League"), and taught drawing in the school that operated under the auspices of its art division. In 1921, he moved to Berlin, where he joined the "November Gruppe" and participated in joint exhibitions with other member artists. Rybak subsequently returned briefly to the Soviet Union and then moved to Paris, where he died in 1935.
Provenance: The Estate of Yisakhar Ber Rybak.