The Black Book and Schwambrania

Coming-of-Age Historical Fiction Children's Fantasy Satire Vintage Collectible Young Adult Adventure Russian Literature

Progress Publishers’ 1978 first-edition hardcover of Lev Kassil’s classic Russian fantasy, The Black Book and Schwambrania, has become a sought-after collectible among vintage children’s literature enthusiasts. This English-language printing—illustrated and tightly bound—preserves the original Soviet-era artwork and oversized format that rarely survives in nice condition. Because Progress’ export run was small and most copies went to libraries, clean first printings now surface far less often than the later paperback reprints.

Kassil’s two-part story, originally serialized in the 1930s, combines rollicking boyhood adventure with gentle satire of bureaucracy and the power of imagination. Brothers Pyotr and Anton create the imaginary country of Schwambrania on their family’s estate, complete with passports, currency, and elaborate history—only to watch the game collide with real-world revolution and civil war. The tale is equal parts bedtime story, cultural time-capsule, and coming-of-age novel, making it rewarding for both young adult readers discovering it for the first time and adults revisiting a childhood favorite.

Collectors prize this copy for its rarity, but casual readers will appreciate the thick, matte pages and the crisp line drawings that appear throughout. The book shows honest forty-five-year wear—light scuffing to the boards, spine tips rubbed, and a few faint foxing spots on the opening leaves—yet remains square, unmarked, and complete with no cracked hinges or dog-eared pages. It is ready for the shelf or for reading aloud, offering the tangible charm that only vintage Soviet-era bookmaking can deliver.

Refer to our eBay listing for a full condition report and many more high-quality pictures of this item.

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