29, [3] pp. Georgian children's book, with story by David Mebuke-Tsvarnami and illustrations by Samson Nadareishvili. Octavo (8 5/8 x 6 1/2 inches). Original side-stapled illustrated wrappers. Light toning, overall excellent. Tbilisi: Sakhelgami/Saxelgami, 1927 [1926].

This children's book contains the text of a short story written by the Georgian author and playwright David Mebuke-Tsvarnami (1892-1961). Born in Khoni, Georgia, Mebuke-Tsvarnami made his start in the theater as an actor and director before he began writing plays. Some of his plays, such as "The Jealous Wife", "Don Quixote in Georgia", and "With the Enemy's Sword" were performed continuously at regional theaters. He also authored numerous lyrical poems including many children's poems, one of which, 'Salami Chitunebo', became a favorite of Georgian youth. The present work, 'Kharabuza's Wedding', is one of a handful which were published as separate books.

The illustrations in this work were done by Samson Nadareishvili (1895-1977). Nadareishvili studied at Warsaw Polytechnic University and the Tbilisi State Academy of the Arts, and did a lot of work in the field of book illustration. He was one of the founders of the Georgian Soviet propaganda caricature tradition, and played an instrumental role in the advancement of poster design through the posters he created during World War II. He was also one of the main artists for the Georgian version of the satirical journal "Krokodil" called "Niangi".

The characters depicted in these illustrations are a variety of beetles, flies, and other anthropomorphic insects, doing things such as delivering mail, wearing clothing, cooking, cleaning, painting, playing instruments, and getting married. Although this book is supposedly aimed at children, the story ends in violence and death.

As of February 2026, we could not find this work listed anywhere via OCLC.

Book ID: 53561

Price: $1,350.00