DOBUZHINSKIY, M.V. (1875-1957) Slovo o polku Igoreve ['Igor's Country Song']; translated by G. Golokhvastov, illustrated by M. Dobuzhinskiy. New York: 'Novogo zhurnala' ed., 1950 [1951]. 76, [2], XVI, [2] p. : ill. ; 19 × 13.5 cm. Hand-coloured watercolour illustrations by M. Dobuzhinskiy. On the verso of the title page, below the legal notices, an inscription in pencil by the artist: 'N° 8 Coloré par M. Dobujinsky 1951 '. Publisher's illustrated dust jacket. Very good condition. Slight foxing. The illustrations constitute a little-known graphic cycle by Mstislav Dobuzhinskiy, produced in London in 1947, three years before the book was published. The Old Russian was translated by the emigrant poet Georgiy Vladimirovich Golokhvastov (1882-1963). In his diary, Dobuzhinskiy noted that, during his stay in Rome from 22 to 25 and on 31 May 1954, he had hand-coloured three copies of 'Slovo o polku Igoreve'. Their current whereabouts are unknown (see : Chugunov G.I., 'Graficheskiy tsikl M.V. Dobuzhinskogo k 'Slovu o polku Igoreve' ', in Issledovaniya 'Slova o polku Igoreve', Leningrad: Nauka, 1986, pp. 229-247). A unique copy with illustrations hand-coloured by the artist, one of two known copies signed and numbered by the artist, and one of four known coloured copies. Accompanied by a certificate of expertise from the P.I. Tretyakov Centre for Artistic Expertise (signed by O.S. Glebova). Provenance: From the collection of Boris Aleksandrovich Bakhmet'ev (1880-1951), Russian and then American (from 1934) hydrodynamics specialist, political and public figure, and Russian ambassador to the United States, whom the artist met while living in America. At the buyer's request, we would be happy to provide a general condition report on the lot described above. However, as we are not professional conservators or restorers, we strongly advise prospective buyers to carry out their own inspection or consult a specialist of their choice for a full assessment of the condition of the lot. Descriptions of items provided in the catalogue or by correspondence are for guidance only and should not be relied upon as a definitive assessment. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD 'AS IS' IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE PUBLISHED IN THE CATALOGUE.