Collection of Moscow Art Theater Photo-Postcards (58 Cards)
Moscow: n.d. Cards. A collection of 58 photo-postcards from the early 20th century showing actors from the Konstantin Stanislavski's seminal Moscow Art Theater. Each card measures approx. 5.5x 3.5". The cards can be divided into three groups as follows:
The Lower Depths (Series 3): 1904
17 of 30 cards from the complete set present, with printed paper sleeve housing the cards. All cards are finely printed in b/w photogravure, with text printed on the sleeve and captioned underneath the images, and on the versos all in Russian. The cards displays scenes and from Maxim Gorky's acclaimed drama 'The Lower Depths' which first premiered at the theater on December 18th, 1902. The images here show the various actors in character and give a real sense of the striking production design created by pioneering scenographer and painter Viktor Simov (V.A. Simov, 1858-1935). The back of each card with the printed date of 1904.
[WITH]
A group of 8 French-language photo-postcards, showing various actors from different productions. Most in b/w or sepia-toned photogravure. Many of the images are credited to photographer A. Gubtschewsky. Each image is bordered in white and captioned underneath the images. Content as follows:
- E.M. Raivskaia as 'Anfisa' in Chekov's Three Sisters
- A.P. Bondirev as " a delegate" in A.K. Tolstoy's The Death of Ivan the Terrible
- J.M. Moskvine as Luka in Gorky's Lower Depths (here as "L'Asyle de nuit") (2 cards)
- V.J. Katchalov as the Baron in The Lower Depths
- M.P. Nikolaieva as Kvashnya in The Lower Depths
- P.A. Bakcheev as Vaska Pepel in The Lower Depths
- V.J. Katchaloff as "Tsar Feodor" in A.K. Tolstoy's The Death of Ivan the Terrible (letter-press halftone print)
[AND WITH]
A group of 33 cards of actors from the Moscow Art Theater. All image are original b/w and sepia-toned photographs, printed with a matte finish, except for one glossy image, still retaining its silver sheen. Images include actors in plain clothes and also in costume, as characters from various productions. All images are captioned underneath in Russian, with text printed in an old cursive cyrillic font, making it sometimes difficult to identify. Among the identified photographs are images of a number of acclaimed thespians including Michael Chekhov (1891-1955) (x4), Yevgeny Vakhtangov (1883-1922) (x2), Aleksei Dikiy (1889-1955), Sofya Giatsintova (1895-1982), Olga Baclanova (1893-1974) (x2), Maria Ouspenskaya (1876-1949), Faina Shevchenko (1893-1971), Gregori Chmara (1878-1970) (x4), Elena G. Sukhacheva (b.1892), Aleksandra Rebikova (1896-1957). The other actors have not been identified. Many of the images here are credited to the photography studio of Sergei Borakchiev in Moscow, and contain his ink stamp on the verso. A few cards bare the ink stamp of the photo printing firm and supplier R. Guilleminot, Boespflug et Cie, of Paris, on the back.
Some cards with light rubbing to extremities, as well as various ink stamps, or pencil markings on the versos. Occasional light smudges and/or minor stains to the cards, with most images clean and vibrant. Very good- to very good+ condition overall. vg- to vg+. Item #45014
Price: $2,750.00