[Russian title] The tale of Tsar Saltan. Illustrated by Ivan Bilibin.

Obl. 4to (left edge of title strengthened).

Lithogr. cardboard cover (min. fox., upper cover sl. stained with faint water stain on verso, edges of upper cover and spine strengthened with gilt adhesive paper).

First printing of the beautiful lithographed illustrations of I. Bilibin (1876-1942) for a verse tale of Alexander Pushkin (1799-1837), first published in 1832. Illustrated with a cover, a title, 5 large full-page plates and 6 smaller in text ill.; some ornaments printed in blue. Bilibin was strongly influenced by old Russian art as well as by traditional Japanese prints and Renaissance woodcuts. Edition dedicated to Nikolaï Rimsky-Korsakov, composer of the opera "The Tale of Tsar Saltan" which premiered in 1900.