Plays
The Seagull, The Cherry Orchard, On the High Road, The Proposal, The Bear, The Wedding, The Anniversary, The Three Sisters
by Anton Chekhov
The Three Sirens Press, 1935, New York
CONDITION:
This book is in fair condition. Hardcover, No Dust Jacket. The boards are heavily worn along edges and corners with some fraying. Rear cover shows evidence of moisture damage with some wrinkling. Front cover titles are faded. Head and tail of the spine are frayed. Darkened spine. Endpapers have some discoloration and ink inscriptions. Hinges tight. Binding sturdy. Text block is crisp and clean. Deckled edges.
ATTRIBUTES:
Illustrated edition. Hardcover. No dust jacket. Bound in cloth over boards.
DESCRIPTION:
This volume brings together a celebrated collection of theatrical works by Anton Chekhov, one of Russia's most influential playwrights and masters of modern drama. Spanning poignant full-length masterpieces such as The Seagull, The Cherry Orchard, and The Three Sisters, alongside several shorter comedic and dramatic pieces, the book explores profound themes of human isolation, social change, fading aristocracy, and the quiet tragedies of everyday life. Chekhov's revolutionary approach to playwriting relied on indirect action, subtle character psychological depth, and atmospheric tension rather than traditional melodrama.
Anton Chekhov began his literary career primarily writing short stories to finance his medical education before emerging as a cornerstone of modern world drama through his collaboration with the Moscow Art Theatre. His works bridged 19th-century realism with modernist theatrical innovation, profoundly influencing generations of subsequent playwrights, directors, and actors worldwide. His ability to capture the nuance of ordinary human speech and existential longing transformed how dramatic art portrays the human condition.
For collectors and enthusiasts of classic literature and theater, this illustrated presentation offers a compelling intersection of dramatic text and fine book illustration. Enhanced by the distinctive artistic woodcuts of Howard Simon, a notable illustrator of standard literary classics, this volume provides a visually engaging interpretation of Russian dramatic heritage. Its combination of enduring theatrical texts and artistic craftsmanship makes it a notable piece for libraries focusing on world drama and mid-century illustrated books.
FLASHBACK TO 1935 WHEN THIS BOOK WAS PUBLISHED:
When this book was published in 1935, the global landscape was shadowed by rising fascist aggression as Italy invaded Abyssinia and the Nazi regime enforced the Nuremberg Laws, while New York vibrated with the rhythms of George Gershwin’s newly premiered folk opera *Porgy and Bess*. Amidst the lingering depths of the Great Depression, everyday life was punctuated by the introduction of the board game Monopoly and the establishment of Alcoholics Anonymous, even as the scientific community mourned the sudden death of aviation pioneer Wiley Post.
Location: LIB-082