First Printing of the First American Edition, beautifully illustrated with Art Nouveau Color Plates, by Bilibin (Bilibine) with imprinted signature and date on the plates.

"Russian Wonder Tales", with a Foreword on the Russian SKAZKI, by Post Weeler, Litt.D., Secretary of the American Embassy at St. Petersburg, containing Twelve of the Famous Bilibin (Bilibine) illustrations in color, published by The Century Company, New York, 1912, First American Edition, stated First Printing October 1912.

The contents is based on Russian Fairy Tales:

Foreword
Prefatory Letter from D. L. Casso
Tzar Saltan
Wassilissa the Beautiful
The Little Humpbacked Horse
Tzarevich Ivan, the Glowing Bird and the Gray Wolf
Maria Morevna
Martin the Peasant's Son
The Feather of Finist the Falcon
The Frog-Tzarevna
Schmat-Razum
Little Bear's-Son
Wassily the Unlucky
Tzarevich Petr and the Wizard

Like Bakst and Benouis, Ivan Yakovlevitch Bilibine (1876-1942) belongs to most famous Russian graphic-art designers and illustrators. The precise details of his compositions and the care carried to the details testify a meticulous study to the objects, clothing and traditions of the Russian folklore. His drawings are recognized for their historical precision, in a style which approaches Art-Deco. These illustrations to Russian Fairy Tales were created during his life in Paris (1925-1936).

To the sides of Maria of the Seas and the Princess Splashes, all these fairy-like characters are magistralement been useful by the luminous illustrations of the painter Ivan Bilibine. These tales of the Russian folklore, became classic tales for children, make us find the legendary figures of the Yaga Baba in its maisonette assembled on hen legs, of Kochtchei Immortal, to which Ivan tsarevitch and its inseparable gray wolf are measured, or Vassilissa the Very Beautiful one protected by its headstock.

Born in a middle-class family from Saint-Petersburg in 1876, Ivan Yakovlevitch Bilibine chooses to study painting rather than the right. Ivan Bilibine illustrated his first tales in 1899, inspirated of discoveries by his many voyages through Russia.

The Illustrator, painter, creator of costumes and decorations, this wandering artist will live successively in Cairo and Paris. He designed the decorations and costumes of various stage performances (Boris Godounov, the Tsar Saltan, Prince Igor, Oiseau of fire...) and illustrated Russian popular tales.

US: Priority (c 2-4 days) ------ $24.50
World: Express (c 5-10 days) --- $87.50

Hard boards, original tan cloth decorated in blue, green and red (some wear, darkend spine, small cloth damage at the bottom of the spine, a few small damages to back-board); pen-written inscription on the front endpaper dated "March 26-1913'; 6.3/4" x 8.1/2" [17cm x 21.5cm]; 323 pages + 12 tipped in color plates on glossy paper including frontiespiece [all plates are present]. There is an original 100-year old paper marker by the Century Company inserted between pages 164 and 165 resulting in some staining [see photo]. Very little soiling, very good condition.