Mikhail Lermontov, Alfred Eberling

Finely bound illustrated edition of Lermontov’s Demon, one of the most celebrated works of Russian Romantic literature.

• Mikhail Lermontov (Russian).
• Illustrated by Alfred Eberling (Russian).
• St Petersburg: M.O. Volf, 1910. 
• Square quarto.
• Text in Russian.
• Frontispiece portrait, 5 color and 4 black and white plates, all with tissue guards.
• Text printed in blue with decorative borders, facsimile manuscript at the rear, printed on thick paper.
• Near contemporary half black morocco over floral fabric boards, gilt ruled, title in gilt to upper cover, spine in parts.  

Alfred Eberling (1872-1951) was a student of Ilya Repin and a court painter under Nicholas II before the Revolution. Despite his Imperial background he was a successful Soviet artist and his portrait of Lenin was featured on the 3 rouble note. Printed on thick paper, this lavish publication perfectly captures the mood of Lermontov’s epic poem set against the dramatic backdrop of the Caucasus mountains.