Vasiliy Molodyakov. COLLECTOR OF GOOD BOOKS: YAKOV SIDORIN AND HIS LIBRARY. ON THE CENTENARY JUBILEE

An account of the life and activity of the Leningrad / St. Petersburg bibliophile, Yakov Sergeevich Sidorin (1923-1994), with lists of his manuscripts and published works.

Vasiliy Molodyakov. ROGER JOSEPH — POET AND BOOK ARTIST

A survey of the life and work of Roger Joseph (1910-1996), a French poet, publicist, historian, graphic artist, and book designer. Principal attention is given to Joseph’s numbered limited editions, including an annotated list of Joseph’s books (many inscribed) from the author’s collection.

Vasiliy Molodyakov. ON THE ARTICLE OF M.V.RATS

Vasiliy Molodyakov. WITNESS OF HISTORY: THE GERMAN "THE MOSCOW ALMANAC" OF 1914

Russian-born Germans occupy a special place in the history of Russia and made a significant contribution to its culture. “The Moscow Almanac” (1914) in the German language, edited and published by Russian Germans on the eve of the tragic beginning of the First World War, is an example of a dialogue of cultures and interesting evidence of the Silver Age.

Vasily Molodyakov. THE CONSPIRACY OF EUGENE FROT

On the basis of rare books with inscriptions published for the first time and other materials of his collection, the author investigates one of the most mysterious plots in the French history of the 20th century — the existence of a conspiracy headed by the famous politician Eugene Frot in 1933-1934.

Vasily Molodyakov. CHARLES MAURRAS AND HIS "CHEMIN DE PARADIS": GRAPHIC VOYAGE

The ancient manor Chemin de Paradis (Road to Paradise) in a Provenyal town of Martigues belonged to the famous French writer Charles Maurras (1868-1952) and repeatedly attracted the attention of artists. Taking the manor as his family’s legacy as well as the quintessence of his “small homeland”, Maurras filled the garden with historical relics and memorial signs, so it may be considered as one of his works of art. The manor is viewed through the works of French graphic artists Roger Joseph (1910-1996) and Tavy Notton (1912-1974) in their illustrated limited editions from the collection of the author of the article.

Статья рассказывает о находящихся в собрании автора печат­ных эфемерах классика английской поэзии Алджернона Чарльза Суинбёрна (1837-1909) и о связанных с ними редких изданиях и автографах его современников, включая знаменитого библио­фила, библиографа и фальсификатора Томаса Джеймса Уайза (1859-1937).

Vasilii Molodiakov. THE REAL SWINBURNE: A STORY OF TWO EPHEMERA

The article deals with two printed ephemera of the classical English poet, Algernon Charles Swinburne (1837-1909) (from the author’s collection) with some related rare editions and autographs of his contemporaries, including the famous book-collector, bibliographer, and forger Thomas James Wise (1859-1937).

Статья рассказывает о находящихся в собрании автора инскриптах на книгах о маршале Франции Филиппе Петэне, в том числе подаренных его помощнику генералу Альфреду Конкэ и на­писанных адвокатом маршала Жаком Изорни.

Vasilii Molodiakov. MARSHAL, GENERAL, ADVOKAT, OR THE GLORY AND SERFDOM OF A SOLDIER

This article deals with inscriptions in books about the French Marshal, Philippe Petain (1856-1951), belonging to the author, including in books presented to the aide of the Marshal, General Alfred Conquet (1886-1977), and written by his advokat, Jacques Isorni (1911-1995).

Vasilii Molodiakov. "IT SEEMED THAT HE WOULD LIVE FOREVER"

Памяти С.С. Петрова - In Memory of S.S. Petrov

Политический кризис 6 февраля 1934 г. во Франции, вылившийся в массовые демонстрации в Париже с применением насилия и повлекший за собой отставку правительства Эдуара Даладье, называли «заговором против безопасности республики» и попыткой государственного переворота, организованной праворадикальными и «фашистскими» организациями. Обращение к фактам, тщательно изученным французской историографией, дает совершенно иную картину. Недовольные разгулом коррупции («дело Ставиского») и бессилием властей в условиях экономического кризиса, националистические и правые организации разной ориентации (монархисты и республиканцы, но не фашисты, которых во Франции не было) и союзы ветеранов войны в знак протеста предприняли ряд несогласованных демонстраций, не ставя целью захват власти или хотя бы правительственных учреждений. У так называемых «заговорщиков» не было ни лидера, ни программы, ни сторонников в правительстве и армии. В то же время подозрительные действия предпринимал амбициозный министр внутренних дел Эжен Фро, что породило версию о его собственном «заговоре».

V.E. Molodiakov. THE 6 FEBRUARY 1934 POLITICAL CRISIS IN FRANCE: «FASCIST COUP D’ÉTAT» OR «FRENCH MUTINY»?

The 6 February 1934 Political Crisis in France culminated in mass violent demonstrations in the center of Paris and caused the resignation of Edouard Daladier government was seen as a «conspiracy against security of the Republic» and an attempt of coup d’état organized by rightist and «fascist» leagues. French historians meticulously studied these events and facts give us a very different picture. Indignant at corruption scandals (the Stavisky Affair) and governmental impotence while dealing with economic crisis numerous Nationalist and Far-Right leagues of different views (Royalists and Republicans but no Fascist because no real Fascists existed in that time in France) and combatants’ unions organized several separated demonstrations of protest but obviously without plans to take power or even to occupy governmental offices. So called conspirators had no leader, no program, no allies in government or army. At the same time ambitious Home Minister Eugene Frot was involved in some suspicious actions that gave birth to a version of his own «conspiracy».