USSR: The Red Army and Navy, Rodchenko, Aleksandr & Stepanova, Varvara, State Art Publishers, Moscow and Leningrad, 1939. First and Only Edition. Folio up to 15″ tall., [102pp.], three portrait photos of Lenin, Stalin and Voroshilov mounted on blank pages; 2 are taped at corners). Illustrated throughout with black-and-white photographs including on two central gatefold pages; text in gilt, red and black. Original red cloth boards, red and gilt titles, blind stamped red star to front. Illustrated endpapers; front endpaper features a tank view; rear endpaper shows Georgy Petrusov’s photo “Ship’s Guns”. In very good condition. A few thumb marks; first panel of Dmitry Debabov’s four panel photo of soldiers standing on the Red Square is cleanly detached but present. Hinges lightly weakened. A few soil marks to boards.
Printed for the Soviet Union’s pavilion at the 1939 New York World’s Fair. A monumental work of propaganda showcasing the strength and power of the Soviet armed forces. Photography and design by the acclaimed Russian husband and wife team, Aleksandr Rodchenko and Varvara Stepanova. “The Red Army and Navy” was among the last pre-war editions Alexander Rodchenko and Varvara Stepanova designed.
