Юность Маяковского ["Mayakovsy's Youth"], by Vasily Kamensky. Tbilisi: Заккнига [Zakkniga], 1931. Russian. Cover design: БорР – Konstantin Bor-Ramensky.
Monograph on the younger years of the Futurist poet and artist Vladimir Mayakovsky, written by his friend, the poet, playwright, and artist Vasily Vasilevich Kamensky (1884-1961), who was also one of the first of Russia's aviators. This monograph was published only a year after Mayakovsky's death.
The portrait of Kamensky, appearing between pages 24 and 25, is the work of Mayakovsky.
The book's cover was designed by the autodidactic graphic artist Konstantin Bor-Ramensky (1900-1942), who was among the pioneers of Russian graphic design, and was also active in the field of interior design. Bor-Ramensky was killed in the Second World War. This lithographed cover, printed in red and black, was acclaimed for its distinct Constructivist qualities. All in one, it features Mayakovsky's portrait, the date of the Revolution, Mayakovsky's age at the time of the Revolution, titles of his publications, and a quote from one of his poems.
84 pp., 17.5 cm. Book block in very good condition. Binding in good condition. Minor stains to binding. Tears to spine. Minor blemishes to corners and edges of binding.
Provenance: The Uzi Agassi Collection.