Rare books
By the start of World War II, the Palace’s book collection consisted of over 30,000 items, incorporating libraries of historical and scholarly books. The entire book collection, totaling 6,474 items, was inventoried and became part of the museum’s holdings.
During the war, only a few hundred books were able to be evacuated. Some books were burned while others were plundered and taken to Germany. Books that were found in Austria after the war and those that survived the fire were transferred to the Central Storage facility for property of museums in the environs of Leningrad, which later, in the 1950s, distributed the books among different libraries and museums. An inventory conducted in 1938 helped to identify 3,083 books marked as “returned”, which amounts to nearly half of the pre-war original collection. Out of these books 1,832 volumes are now stored in a special collection for rare books, while the remaining 1,251 books remain in libraries and museums across the country.
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A Brief Historical Description of Russian Ancient Cannons
Cahu Theodore
Description of the Sacred Coronation
Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra
P.S. Pallas
Description du sacre et du couronnement
Didon Nouveau testament
E. Ukhtomsky
N. Kondakov
The Bible
A Brief Historical Description of Russian Ancient Cannons with Attached Reflections on New 12-pound Cannons, 18 and 12 pages.
The book has a dark crimson morocco binding with gilt tooled ornamental borders on the front cover, gilt page edges. The fly leaf has the following presentation inscription in black ink: “To Her Imperial Majesty Maria Feodorovna from her loyal subject Count Arakcheev”. Gennady’s catalogue “Rare Russian Books” contains the following entry on this publication: “A fascinating brochure on the history of artillery that includes a description of some of the cannons cast in the pre-Petrine era and thereafter. The appendix contains records of the number of field and regiment cannons held in the artillery in each particular year (1723-1806) and how much powder and guns were produced at Okhtensky, Shostensky and Kazansky gunpowder factories between 1801 and 1807.
The book has a dark crimson morocco binding with gilt tooled ornamental borders on the front cover, gilt page edges. The fly leaf has the following presentation inscription in black ink: “To Her Imperial Majesty Maria Feodorovna from her loyal subject Count Arakcheev”. Gennady’s catalogue “Rare Russian Books” contains the following entry on this publication: “A fascinating brochure on the history of artillery that includes a description of some of the cannons cast in the pre-Petrine era and thereafter. The appendix contains records of the number of field and regiment cannons held in the artillery in each particular year (1723-1806) and how much powder and guns were produced at Okhtensky, Shostensky and Kazansky gunpowder factories between 1801 and 1807.
Cahu Theodore, Leloir Maurice Richelieu. – Paris, 1901. – 84 p.
The book comes from the library of Grand Duke Mikhail Alexandrovich, the front endpaper bears his ex-libris. Bound in green calico cloth with inlays of leather on the front cover, which also has an embossed color image of Richelieu, with gilt page edges. This richly illustrated children’s edition describes the life of Cardinal Richelieu. The bright and colourful illustrations are the work of French painter Maurice Leloir.
The book comes from the library of Grand Duke Mikhail Alexandrovich, the front endpaper bears his ex-libris. Bound in green calico cloth with inlays of leather on the front cover, which also has an embossed color image of Richelieu, with gilt page edges. This richly illustrated children’s edition describes the life of Cardinal Richelieu. The bright and colourful illustrations are the work of French painter Maurice Leloir.
Description of the Sacred Coronation of His Imperial Highness Emperor Alexander the Third and Her Imperial Majesty Empress Maria Feodorvna of All Russia
A large format edition (67x53 cm), bound in full red morocco with gilt edges and endpapers of watered silk. The title, Imperial coat of arms and lavish ornamental borders are embossed in gold on the front board. The publication is embellished with 26 plates of lithographs and with illustrations throughout the book depicting all stages of the spectacular event, related historical venues, objects and personalities (painted by I.N.Kramskoy, V.V. Vereshchagin, V.I. Surikov, I.E. Repin, V.A. Serov, V.M. Vasnetsov, N.S. Samikish and others).
A large format edition (67x53 cm), bound in full red morocco with gilt edges and endpapers of watered silk. The title, Imperial coat of arms and lavish ornamental borders are embossed in gold on the front board. The publication is embellished with 26 plates of lithographs and with illustrations throughout the book depicting all stages of the spectacular event, related historical venues, objects and personalities (painted by I.N.Kramskoy, V.V. Vereshchagin, V.I. Surikov, I.E. Repin, V.A. Serov, V.M. Vasnetsov, N.S. Samikish and others).
Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra. L’ingenieux hidalgo Don Quichotte de la Manche. Avec 370 compositions de Gustave Dore, gravees sur bois par H. Pisan. T.2. – Paris, 1869.
The book comes from the library of Grand Duke Mikhail Alexandrovich, with endpapers bearing his ex-libris.
The edition is a monumental deluxe example of eclecticism with its large format, massive bright red cloth binding, blind stamped and embossed in gold, with its page edge gilt, large print and thick hard paper. Illustrations throughout the book and on plates are by Gustave Dore, an unsurpassed master in this art form. His work is distinguished for its dramatic nature, romantic treatment and fine details. The Rare Book holdings include another 19th century deluxe edition of similar design - La Fontaine’s fables illustrated by Dore. This book is also from the library of Grand Duke Mikhail Alexandrovich.
The book comes from the library of Grand Duke Mikhail Alexandrovich, with endpapers bearing his ex-libris.
The edition is a monumental deluxe example of eclecticism with its large format, massive bright red cloth binding, blind stamped and embossed in gold, with its page edge gilt, large print and thick hard paper. Illustrations throughout the book and on plates are by Gustave Dore, an unsurpassed master in this art form. His work is distinguished for its dramatic nature, romantic treatment and fine details. The Rare Book holdings include another 19th century deluxe edition of similar design - La Fontaine’s fables illustrated by Dore. This book is also from the library of Grand Duke Mikhail Alexandrovich.
P.S. Pallas. Description of Plants in the Russian State with their Images. Part 1/ Published by P.S.Pallas, translated by V.F. Zuev. St Petersburg, 1786.
The volume comes from the library of Paul I and Maria Feodorovna. One of the first and most important books on the plant world of Russia. Bound in red morocco leather binding, lavishly decorated with gilt embossed decorative borders and imperial Russian coat of arms on covers, flower vignettes on the spine; gilt page edge, 'peacock-feather' pattern endpapers, engraved title page. At the end of the book there are engraved plates with images of plants based on the drawings by Knappe and hand painted in watercolor.
The volume comes from the library of Paul I and Maria Feodorovna. One of the first and most important books on the plant world of Russia. Bound in red morocco leather binding, lavishly decorated with gilt embossed decorative borders and imperial Russian coat of arms on covers, flower vignettes on the spine; gilt page edge, 'peacock-feather' pattern endpapers, engraved title page. At the end of the book there are engraved plates with images of plants based on the drawings by Knappe and hand painted in watercolor.
Description du sacre et du couronnement de leurs majestés impériales l`Empereur Alexandre II et l`Emperatrice Marie Alexandrovna 1856.
Emperor Alexander II and Empress Maria Alexandrovna coronation album in French (almost identical to the Russian edition), published by the Imperial Academy of Sciences in 1856, a unique example of book art. The album contains a detailed description of Alexander II’s crowning ceremony and related festivities held in Moscow. The title is stamped in large-size Slavonic lettering in vermilion, silver and gold, at the beginning each chapter historiated initials and panels with a variety of images depicting royal regalia, parks and palaces, antique dishes; special large type was cast for the printing of the book. The album contains 52 illustrations, of which 19 lithographs on inserts and 33 engravings, most of those from drawings by M.Zichi and V.Tim. This album is among the heaviest volumes ever published in Russia, weighing almost 30 kg and measuring 92x68 cm.
Emperor Alexander II and Empress Maria Alexandrovna coronation album in French (almost identical to the Russian edition), published by the Imperial Academy of Sciences in 1856, a unique example of book art. The album contains a detailed description of Alexander II’s crowning ceremony and related festivities held in Moscow. The title is stamped in large-size Slavonic lettering in vermilion, silver and gold, at the beginning each chapter historiated initials and panels with a variety of images depicting royal regalia, parks and palaces, antique dishes; special large type was cast for the printing of the book. The album contains 52 illustrations, of which 19 lithographs on inserts and 33 engravings, most of those from drawings by M.Zichi and V.Tim. This album is among the heaviest volumes ever published in Russia, weighing almost 30 kg and measuring 92x68 cm.
Le livre d’or de la revelation chretienne: T.2. Didon Nouveau testament. – Paris, Leipsic, Vienne, 1903.
Presentation edition from the early 20th century. Gilt tooled leather binding with a painted insert, gilt brass book clasps and gilt brass inlays incrusted with stones (in imitation of malachite or amazonite), endpapers decorated with plant designs. The volume is richly adorned with historiated initials, vignettes and endpieces; illustrated with 126 chromolithographs on plates reproducing religious paintings by famous old masters such as Murillo, Veronese, Raffaello Santi, Guido Reni, Karlo Dolci, Tiziano, Leonardo da Vinci, van Dyck, Rubens.
Presentation edition from the early 20th century. Gilt tooled leather binding with a painted insert, gilt brass book clasps and gilt brass inlays incrusted with stones (in imitation of malachite or amazonite), endpapers decorated with plant designs. The volume is richly adorned with historiated initials, vignettes and endpieces; illustrated with 126 chromolithographs on plates reproducing religious paintings by famous old masters such as Murillo, Veronese, Raffaello Santi, Guido Reni, Karlo Dolci, Tiziano, Leonardo da Vinci, van Dyck, Rubens.
E. Ukhtomsky. Travels to the East of Nicholas II, Emperor of Russia, When Cesarewitch, 1890-1891. 3 volumes. St Petersburg, 1893-1897.
The tree volumes are bound in dark blue leather, embossed with a variety of designs on covers and spines, the cipher “N” (in Cyrillic) in the center of the front covers under an image of the crown, all edges gilt, endpapers of patterned white watered silk matching the design of the front cover. The book is remarkable not only for its true account of Nikolay Alexandrovich’s famous tour, but also for its splendid illustrations by painter N.N.Karazin. Exceptionally rare edition.
The tree volumes are bound in dark blue leather, embossed with a variety of designs on covers and spines, the cipher “N” (in Cyrillic) in the center of the front covers under an image of the crown, all edges gilt, endpapers of patterned white watered silk matching the design of the front cover. The book is remarkable not only for its true account of Nikolay Alexandrovich’s famous tour, but also for its splendid illustrations by painter N.N.Karazin. Exceptionally rare edition.
N. Kondakov. History and Relics of Byzantine Enamels. St Petersburg, 1892
One of the most elegant and elaborately designed publications of Russian book art, referred to by contemporaries as “a Russian miracle”. The print run was 600 numbered copies, 200 each in Russian, German and French. The volume was never intended for sale, but for private distribution only. The Department of Rare Books holdings include copy number 7 in Russian that comes from the library of Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna. Bound in full leather binding with Byzantine-style inlays, illustrations in gold and colors, and decorative edges. Each chapter title is placed within a Byzantine color border, modelled after the characters of the Ostromir Gospel and stamped in high carat gold.
One of the most elegant and elaborately designed publications of Russian book art, referred to by contemporaries as “a Russian miracle”. The print run was 600 numbered copies, 200 each in Russian, German and French. The volume was never intended for sale, but for private distribution only. The Department of Rare Books holdings include copy number 7 in Russian that comes from the library of Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna. Bound in full leather binding with Byzantine-style inlays, illustrations in gold and colors, and decorative edges. Each chapter title is placed within a Byzantine color border, modelled after the characters of the Ostromir Gospel and stamped in high carat gold.
The Bible, containing the Old and New Testaments. M., 1778
The Bible is from the private library of Paul I in Old Slavonic that he kept in his Tower study. Bound in dark red velvet binding with embroidered crosses in gold thread, a set of 8 bookmarks attached, the title page engraved with scenes from the Old and New Testaments and views of the Kremlin and St Peter and Paul Fortress with the Imperial double-headed eagle above them and the inscription below that reads: “Semen Vtorov 1759 and engraving apprentice Vasily Ikonnikov 1763”. At the beginning and end of each volume there are historiated initials, decorative headpieces and endpieces. Over 700 pages.
The Bible is from the private library of Paul I in Old Slavonic that he kept in his Tower study. Bound in dark red velvet binding with embroidered crosses in gold thread, a set of 8 bookmarks attached, the title page engraved with scenes from the Old and New Testaments and views of the Kremlin and St Peter and Paul Fortress with the Imperial double-headed eagle above them and the inscription below that reads: “Semen Vtorov 1759 and engraving apprentice Vasily Ikonnikov 1763”. At the beginning and end of each volume there are historiated initials, decorative headpieces and endpieces. Over 700 pages.