Четыре фонетических романа [Four Phonetic Novels], by Alexei Kruchenykh. Moscow: Published by the author, 1927. Russian. Printed in 500 copies.

Four works by Aleksei Kruchenykh, accompanied by six lithographic plates by Maria Sinyakova (Мария Синякова; 1890-1984). Front and back cover designed by Gustav Klutsis. Signed dedication to Nathan Altman on the title page, presumably by the author.

38 pages. 24.5 cm. Good condition. Tears, creases and wear to the cover, restored with paper. Spine reinforced with tape.

MoMA 700.

The author, Aleksei Kruchenykh (Алексе́й Елисе́евич Кручёных; 1886-1968) was a poet and theoretician; one of the most radical representatives of Russian Futurism. Kruchenykh is considered the inventor of the "Zaum" language (Russian: "beyond reason") – an experimental language using meaningless expressions (this literary style is considered a Russian equivalent of Dada, although it preceded it by three years).

In 1916 he founded the literary group "41°" in Tbilisi, and was responsible for its various publications, known for their avant-garde design and unique printing technique. After returning to Moscow, he joined the "LEF" (ЛЕФ) journal.

From the 1930s onwards, following political changes in Soviet Russia, he published less poetry and devoted most of his energy to theoretical work. Among his most famous works is the libretto for the great Futurist opera "Victory over the Sun".

Cover designer, Gustav Klutsis (Густав Клуцис; 1895-1938), born in Latvia, drafted into the Russian army in 1915 and arrived in Moscow in 1917. In subsequent years, he studied art under Kazimir Malevich and Antoine Pevsner, and at the state higher art and technical school "Vkhutemas". During the 1920s, he taught at "Vkhutemas", collaborated with the "LEF" group ("Left Front of the Arts") and was one of the founders of the "October" artists' association.

As a member of the Communist Party, Klutsis's works were mostly propagandistic in nature. Particularly memorable are the Communist propaganda posters he created with his wife, artist Valentina Kulagina, extensively using photomontage techniques, and considered pioneers of the field in the Soviet Union. Despite his absolute devotion to the Communist Party, Klutsis was murdered in 1938 during Stalin's Great Purge.