BILIBIN, Ivan (1876-1942, illustrator). Skazki. [Tales.] St. Petersburg: Expedition for the Preparation of Government Papers, 1901-1903. 6 parts, 2° (325 x 255mm). Chromolithographs throughout, some full-page. (Occasional spotting, occasional light soiling, one volume with marginal dampstaining.) Original chromolithographic wrappers, spines reinforced with tape, as issued (one volume repaired at the spine, some wear at the extremities, some light soiling, one volume with rusty staples and taped to stop the rust) Provenance: Russian bookseller (small stamp in one volume).

BILIBIN, Ivan (1876-1942, illustrator). Skazki. [Tales.] St. Petersburg: Expedition for the Preparation of Government Papers, 1901-1903. 6 parts, 2° (325 x 255mm). Chromolithographs throughout, some full-page. (Occasional spotting, occasional light soiling, one volume with marginal dampstaining.) Original chromolithographic wrappers, spines reinforced with tape, as issued (one volume repaired at the spine, some wear at the extremities, some light soiling, one volume with rusty staples and taped to stop the rust) Provenance: Russian bookseller (small stamp in one volume).

FIRST EDITIONS. A complete set of the 6 publications in this series. Tales illustrated by Bilibin are among the most famous children's books both within and outside of Russia. One of the nation's most influential illustrators, Bilibin first came to prominence when some of these folklore illustrations were shown in the Mir Iskusstva exhibition. The set comprises: Skazka ob Ivane Tsareviche, Zhar Ptitse, i o Serom Volke, Tsarevia-Liagushka, Vasilisa Prekrasnaia, Peryshko Finista Iasna-Sokola, Maria Morevna, and Sestritsa Alenushka i Bratets Ivanushka; Belaia Utochka. Rats Collection 3-8. (6)