Second complete edition of Krylov's Fables with a preface by the poet and highly regarded literary critic Piotr Pletnev (1792-1866).
Half tan goatskin binding with corners, smooth spine decorated lengthwise in rocaille style in blind with tears and losses, joints fragile, gilt fillet framing the red pebbled paper boards, gilt Cyrillic inscription at the center of the upper cover, grey edges, rubbed corners, chips and losses along the edges, contemporary binding.
Foxing, library stamps and markings.
Prize book "Pour Succès et Bonne Conduite".
Manuscript ex-libris in ink, in Russian, on the front endpaper, dated Vilnius, 6 August 1857, and on the verso in Latin characters: Ch. Josephson Vilna. Bold stamp indicating the same provenance within the volume and blind stamp CRJJ.