Russian children's journals and annuals

Chizh [Siskin]. Leningrad: Detizdat TSK BLKSM. Nos 1-4 for 1937, nos 5, 7 and 11 for 1938, nos 7-8 (one issue) for 1940, 8 issues, 4to, colour illustrations throughout, original illustrated wrappers, wrappers worn at edges with occasional loss, a few backstrips repaired
Grozdova, E.I. Detskii kalendar [Children's calendar]. Moscow, 1943, 1944, 1953. 3 issues, oblong folio, colour illustrations throughout, original illustrated wrappers, 1953 issue in pictorial boards, wrappers worn and chipped with slight loss
Tabel kalendar [Tabel calendar]. Moscow: Ogiz Gospolitizdat, 1942, issue for 1943, without wrappers as issued, backstrip renewed
Vozhak [Guide]: zhurnal detskogo aktiva. Moscow: Pravda, March 1929, issue 6, illustrations, original printed wrappers, backstrip torn (13)

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The journal Siskin is named after a small bird whose colours were the same as a school uniform in St Petersburg. It featured stories and illustrations by writers such as Marshak, Lebedev, Kharms, Charushin, Shvarts, Zoshchenko and Vvedensky, as well as songs and cartoons. Marshak's position as head of the state publishing house for children enabled him to employ subversive authors for publications such as this, as children's literature was not so tightly censored to begin with; however, both Kharms and Vvedensky died after being arrested for treason in 1941.

The Detskii Kalendar contains pages with pictures to cut out and assemble into figures or games, together with poems and stories by Marshak, Gorky and Barto as well as classical Russian authors. It has a more obviously Soviet agenda than Chizh, particularly in the 1953 edition, and the Tabel Kalendar is a distinctly Soviet publication.