Камень, Первая книга стихов [Stone: First Book of Verse], by Osip Mandelstam. Moscow-Petrograd (St. Petersburg): Государственное издательство, Библиотека современной русской литературы series, 1923. Third edition (content varies between editions). Russian.

Third edition of Mandelstam's first book of poetry, published by the "State Publishing House" as part of the "Library of Modern Russian Literature" series (first published in 1913). The three editions titled "Stone" differ in both content and number of poems. Cover Designed by Alexander Rodchenko. 

95, [4] pages. Approx. 18 cm. Good condition. Stains. Minor tears and creases to cover edges and spine.

MoMA 499.

Cover designer, Alexander Rodchenko (Алекса́ндр Миха́йлович Ро́дченко; 1891-1956), Russian artist, designer, sculptor and photographer, key figure of the Constructivist movement. Studied art in Kazan and Moscow, initially working in Cubist and Futurist styles before embracing Suprematism and geometric abstraction, influenced by Kandinsky and Malevich.

As Vladimir Tatlin's student and assistant, Rodchenko participated in Tatlin's 1916 exhibition. From 1919, he created three-dimensional works using various materials, characterized by interlocking geometric shapes forming airy, dynamic compositions.

In the 1920s, Rodchenko collaborated extensively with poet Vladimir Mayakovsky, illustrating his books and those of other Russian Futurist and Avant-garde artists, often published by LEF ("Left Front of the Arts").

Considered one of the most versatile Russian avant-garde artists, Rodchenko led the Productivist faction, advocating closer ties between art, industrial production, and the working class. This led him to furniture design and applied arts. He later pioneered photography and photomontage, designed posters, illustrated books, worked in graphics and typography, and created theatrical and film sets.