2014 Ten Most Expensive Books

2014 Ten Most Expensive Books
Traditionally, written word costs a bit, but in some cases may even cost millions. Meanwhile, since the mid 1980s the government, billionaires and private collectors often paid several times higher auction prices for individual manuscripts. In 2014, in the list of most expensive books in the history of mankind, appeared a new one. In particular, “Book of Hours” from the collection of the Rothschild family, sold at Christie’s auction in New York for $ 13.9 million. The manuscript, which broke its own record price established 15 years ago, has been recognized also the most expensive illuminated manuscripts. However, it is far from “Leicester Code” by Leonardo da Vinci, which reached $ 30.8 million at Christie’s auction in 1994 (now equivalent to $ 49.4 million). Besides, for many years “Leicester Code” heads the list of the most highly regarded of manuscripts and printed works.
More »

‘Tom Thumb’. Book illustrator Alexey Reypolsky

Book illustrator Alexey Reypolsky
Born on January 14, 1945 in Leningrad, the USSR, Reypolsky is a talented graphic artist and illustrator.
In 1956 he entered the Art School at the Institute of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture named after Repin, and in 1963 – the graphic faculty of the Institute. Reypolsky worked in the studio of book graphics under the direction of Professor MA Taranov. In 1969 he graduated from the Institute. Thesis – a series of linocuts for the novel of FM Dostoevsky’s “The Gambler”, was awarded the highest evaluation. The work was later acquired by the museum-apartment of Dostoevsky in St. Petersburg.
More »

Decorative plate ’69’. GAV Traugot illustrations

GAV Traugot illustrations
First of all, the abbreviature GAV emphasizes the unity of creative spirit of three artists. In particular – George Traugot (1903-1961), Alexander Traugot (b.1931) and Valery Traugot (June 23, 1936, Leningrad – October 5, 2009, Saint-Petersburg). Alexander Traugot still signs his work “GAV Traugot” in memory of his brother and father, his main teacher. In 2012, the Marble Palace of the State Russian Museum in St. Petersburg hosted the exhibition “The Traugot Family. George Traugott, Vera Yanova, Alexander and Valery Traugot”. It consisted of art works – drawing, painting, porcelain and sculptures created by two generations of the family of St. Petersburg artists.
More »

Binding of the Quran with emerald. The beginning of the 19th century. Gold, diamonds, emeralds. The Topkapı Palace Museum, Istanbul, Turkey. Islamic East Jewelled Arts

Islamic East Jewelled Arts
Worked out by the peoples of the Middle East during the Middle Ages, based on the cultural traditions of the area and the principles of Islam. From the beginning, the art of Muslim countries showed originality, associated with the ethnic culture. However, Islamization, covering all the space developed common principles, which became mandatory for all parts of the Muslim world.
In fact, Islam forbids images of living beings, first of all, people. Meanwhile, in Iran, where even before the arrival of Islam was a tradition of depicting scenes from the life of the rulers in miniature, wall painting, and carpet weaving, the ban was never total.
More »

Ivan – Tsarevich on the Grey Wolf. 1889. Fairy tale happiness by Vasnetsov

Fairy tale happiness by Vasnetsov
Almost every fairy tale hero expects reward similar to “Emelya” happiness – love of beautiful girl and wealth. But happiness has to be earned or won. Available hero is strong, and most importantly, kind. Not all the heroes are winners – only those who fight against evil. This path is not easy. Hurtling through a dark, scary forest the Gray Wolf, saving Ivan Tsarevich and Elena the Fair. Her golden hair waving on a wind. The speed with which the wolf carries them is enormous: even heavy sword of Ivan Tsarevich soared up into the air. Elena the Fair seems half asleep. Her patterned robe of blue silk, can not seem to warm her. But Prince tenderly holding her in his arms. Vasnetsov shows in a picture how passionate feelings in a cool, gloomy forest make a real miracle – on apple tree branch, unexpectedly here in the wild forest, bloom sweet as love in the hearts of fairytale characters, flowers.
More »

Gerda in the flower garden. Hans Christian Andersen’s ‘The Snow Queen’. Illustrator Boris Diodorov

Illustrator Boris Diodorov
People’s Artist of Russia, professor of Moscow State University of Printing, Boris Arkadievich Diodorov is an outstanding children’s book illustrator whose works – remembered for a lifetime. In particular, children in many countries love his illustrations of Andersen’s fairy tales.
Noteworthy, in 2001, Boris Diodorov received the Grand Prix of Hans Christian Andersen from the hands of Princess of Denmark. Nominated for the Gold Medal of Andersen in 2000, he won the Grand Prix of Andersen in Odense in 2001. Besides, he received an honorary diploma on Andersen’s 50-year anniversary in 2002. And in 2003 he became president of the fund of Andersen in Russia. Besides, in 2005, Denmark granted him the honorary title of “Ambassador of Andersen in Russia”.
More »

Once upon a time in a faraway kingdom, three sisters, sitting at the window, were talking what they would do if they were married to Tsar Saltan. The Tale of Tsar Saltan. Painting by Valery Arkhipov

The Tale of Tsar Saltan
In fact, the complete name of a famous Russian fairy tale written by Alexander Pushkin, is long. In particular, The Tale of Tsar Saltan, of His Son, the Glorious and Mighty Knight Prince Guidon Saltonovich, and of the Fair Swan-Princess.
Once upon a time in a faraway kingdom, three sisters, sitting at the window, were talking what they would do if they were married to Tsar Saltan. One sister said that she would prepare a great feast for the entire world. The second sister said that she would weave linen for the entire world. The youngest sister said that she would give the tsar “a handsome and strong son”. It so happened that the tsar overheard the conversation, and loved the words of the last maiden. He soon asked her to be his wife. The other sisters were given jobs as a cook and a weaver.
More »