Kārlis Skalbe. Manu bērnības dienu mēnesis un citas pasakas / ilustrējis Sigismunds Vidbergs. — Rīgā: Jāna Rozes apgāds, 1926.

Title-page: K. SKALBE | MANU BĒRNĪBAS | DIENU MĒNESIS | UN CITAS PASAKAS | ILUSTRĒJIS Z. VIDBERGS | [publisher’s device] | RĪGĀ, 1926. | — | J. ROZES APGĀDĪBĀ, KRIŠJĀŅA BARONA IELĀ № 5 ||

Title translation: The Month of My Childhood Days and Other Tales

Author: Kārlis Skalbe (Latvian, 1879–1945).
Illustrator: Sigismunds Vidbergs (Latvian-American, 1890 – 1970)
Publisher: Jāna Rozes apgāds (Rīga)
Printer’s imprint: “J. Rozes grāmatu spiestuve, Rīgā, Kr. Barona ielā Nr. 37.”

Place of publication: Rīga (Latvia)
Date: 1926
Language: Latvian

Description: Softcover, publisher’s cream wrappers with black lettering and a vignette within red double ruled frame; wove paper; 221 × 176 mm. Pagination: [4], 5–85, [1] (p. 86) blank, [2] (content/blank); all pages with red ruled frame. Frontispiece and 9 section title vignettes after drawings by Sigismunds Vidbergs, within pagination. Wrapper imprint in older orthography reads “J. ROZES APGĀDNEECĪBA, RIGĀ.” Manuscript presentation at upper right of title page: “Indrikam 1926. g. Ziemsvētkos.” (To Indriks, Christmas 1926).

Note: Janis Roze (Latvian, 1878–1942), killed by the Soviets in the GULAG.

Information from the Seller: The anthology comprises ten stories for children, with each one introduced by an illustration from Sigismunds Vidbergs. Unlike Niklav Strunke, a renowned Latvian artist known for illustrating numerous Latvian folk tales, Vidbergs' contributions in this area are not common. The illustrations, presented on individual sheets, possess significant value for collectors and enthusiasts of rare books. Nonetheless, early 20th-century Latvian children's literature, such as this volume, typically shows considerable wear owing to the regular use and handling by children. Karlis Skalbe (1879-1945) was a pivotal Latvian writer and political activist. During the First Russian Revolution in 1905, he took a stand by editing the dissident periodical Kavi and subsequently had to flee due to political backlash. In exile, he resided in Finland and Norway from 1906 to 1909. Upon his return to Latvia, Skalbe faced arrest for his revolutionary involvement and was incarcerated for a year and a half between 1911 and 1913. Throughout World War I, he contributed to several newspapers. Politically active, he served on the Provisional National Council and the People's Council of Latvia, was a representative in the Latvian Constituent Assembly from 1920 to 1922, and held a seat in the Latvian Sejm from 1922 to 1925 and again from 1931 to 1934. In the realm of journalism and literature, he led the literary section of "Jaunäkãs Zinas" newspaper from 1920 to 1940, edited the magazines "Piesaule" between 1928 and 1935, and "Latvju Menesraksts" from 1942 to 1944, and presided over the Latvian Union of Journalists and Writers from 1929 to 1931. Sigismunds Vidbergs (1890-1970) stands as a distinguished figure in the realm of Art Deco graphic arts and is recognized as one of the most innovative Latvian artists of the 20th century, celebrated for his diverse artistic contributions. His oeuvre spans a variety of media, including standalone and decorative graphics, porcelain designs, book and magazine illustrations, and commercial artwork. Ink technique is a hallmark of his work. Vidbergs explored a broad spectrum of themes, from historical and contemporary narratives to depictions of city and countryside, religious imagery, portraits, architectural studies, and natural scenes. Yet, he is perhaps most acclaimed in Latvian art circles for his sophisticated and elegant portrayal of erotic subjects, where he maintained a classical sense of balance, even when engaging with provocative subject matter.