139, [4] pp.volume representing a collaborative effort between poetry and abstract drawing from two Georgian avant-gardes. Octavo (9 x 6 1/8 inches). Original illustrated wrappers with design by Gamrekeli. Light soiling, restorations at top and base of spine with original text preserved, some old damp-staining and creasing to covers, paper losses or tears to lower corners of pp. 40-46, very minor scattered soiling, overall very good. Tbilisi: Samkhedro stamba, 1923. One of 1000 copies.

This volume represents the first and only edition of the rare collaboration between Georgian poet, translator, and playwright Iona Vakeli (1900-1988) and the Georgian avant-garde stage designer and artist Irakli Gamrekeli (1894-1943). It represents likely one of the only examples by Gamrekeli of a series of abstract drawings for a book of poetry, with twelve small drawings serving as section dividers. The angular cubist-style designs and cityscapes anticipate his designs for the Georgian avant-garde H2S04 periodical which would premiere the following year. His drawings also call to mind the abstract constructions of some of Gamrekeli's stage designs.

This work also marked a turning point in Vakeli's career. Prior to this collaboration, he had published only a few poems in a handful of Georgian periodicals. Still only twenty-three years old at the time, he had been trying for several years to find success as a writer. Following this publication, Vakeli would go on to publish much more original poetry as well as thousands of pages of translations of the works of Pushkin, Goethe, and others. However, he is best-known for his theatrical works such as "Aprakune Chimchimeli" which premiered in 1934 and "Shamil" in 1935.

No. 21 in Chepyzhov, New Georgian Book Design, 1920s-1930s.

Incredibly scarce; as of February 2025, OCLC locates a single holding of this work.

Book ID: 53400

Price: $2,750.00