Неизданный Хлебников, Выпуск ХIX, "Морской берег [Unpublished Khlebnikov, Issue Number 19, "The Seashore"], edited by Alexei Kruchenykh. Moscow: Группы друзей Хлебникова [Khlebnikov's Friends Group], 1930. Russian. Printed in 150 copies.

Booklet from a series published by the circle of friends of poet Velimir Khlebnikov after his death, containing unpublished writings and works. Lithographic cover by Ivan Kliun.

[1] wrapper-title page, 16 leaves (printed on one side). 16.5X21.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Creases and minor blemishes to margins of several leaves. Tears and open tears to cover edges.

MoMA 784.

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".

Ivan Kliun (Иван Васильевич Клюн; 1873-1943), painter, sculptor and art theoretician, a prominent artist of the Russian avant-garde.