Mandelstam's second book of poems

A fine copy of the first edition of Mandelstam's second book of poems.

Written between 1915 and 1922, Tristia established him as one of the most important Russian voices of his generation. Mandelshtam (1891 - 1938) opposed the increasingly totalitarian Soviet regime, criticising the authorities in his poems. He was arrested twice for 'counter-revolutionary' activities and died in the Gulag Archipelago. He is revered today as one of the best modern Russian poets and a martyr to Stalin's oppression.

First edition; small 8vo (16 x 12 cm); original wrappers designed by M. Dobuzhinsky, four scorch marks from early 'protector' on title-page and index leaf, slight age toning, overall a very good copy.