Lot 143B email save

SHIRINSKY-SHIHMATOFF, Prince Andrew.

Album of Northern Dogs (Laļkas). Part a: Korel-Laļka; b: Zirian-Laļka. Preface by L[eonid] Sabaneyeff. Scales of measurements of living specimen and skulls with their profiles, etc. Illustrated by A.S. Stepanoff. All the receipt [sic.] is to be employed for the foundation of the leper's colony in the governement of Yacootsk. Moscow: J. Barnett, printer, 1896. Oblong folio (320 x 480 mm). 38 leaves: title printed in brown with decorative lettering and integral vignette illustrations (verso blank), dedication (verso blank,)1p. preface (verso blank,) 2 letterpress tables, 1 'Profiles of the Skulls' plate printed in two colours, 1 chromolithographic map showing the distribution of the various types of 'Northern Dog,' one blue-toned photogravure after Stepanoff of dogs in pursuit of a bear, 30 blue- or brown-toned photogravures after photographs with surrounding vignette illustrations after Stepanoff. Unbound as issued within original green cloth portfolio, upper cover blocked in gilt with titling in cyrillic letters, cloth ties. a fine copy of this rare and beautifully-produced publication: 'the first serious work dealing with northern dogs' (Preface). This album of striking images of laļkas, or Northern dogs, is drawn from data collected by Prince Shirinsky-Shihmatoff 'during his frequent journeys first for bear hunting and afterwards for the special study of the laļka to the provinces of Olonetz, Vologda, Kostroma, Viatka and Archangel … Being much interested in the natural sagacity and hunting capacity of the laļkas he procured some hundreds of specimens of different varieties and applied himself seriously to their study and breeding.' (Preface) 'To a considerable portion of the Northern hemisphere many varieties of dogs which have in common many general features … are classed in one group of so-called Northern dogs … They all have a more or less long-haired coat and close thick down, a sharp muzzle, cross-cut eyes, upright ears and a tail tightly twisted in a ring. No doubt all these varieties have existed from very remote times and once extended further than at present … Some species of the Northern group still preserve a great resemblance to the wolf others by their form and habits remind us … of common and blue foxes … From … recognized and unrecognized cross-breeding many varieties and a considerable number of independent species have been produced … Some were employed as draught animal[s] instead of reindeer in the polar swamps and bred for their rather valuable fur - others again [from] … more temperate regions served merely as yard, house or shepherd watch-dogs… [The many varieties of Northern dogs are naturally of particular interest to the Russians as their natural territory is largely within the Russian Empire] … Here they are more varied, numerous , purer and of more use than elsewhere. The Northern laļka is indeed the benefactor of hundreds of thousands of natives and Russian traders. A considerable part of the game and fur - from the woodcock and squirrel to the sable and bear - worth nearly a million roubles yearly is obtained by aid of these sporting dogs' (Preface). Jones Bibliography of the Dog 3539.