Erberg, K. [Syunnerberg, K. A.]. The Purpose of Creation (Tsel' tvorchestva) Second abridged edition. Petersburg, Alkonost, 1919. In Russian

Эрберг, Конст. [Сюннерберг, К. А.]. Цель творчества. Издание второе, сокращенное.
Петербург : Издательство «Алконост» (Военная Типография), 1919. 170 с.
Твердый владельческий переплет (зеленый коленкор). Внутри полностью сохранена оригинальная шрифтовая издательская обложка. Уменьшенный формат.
Состояние хорошее: владельческий переплет крепкий, чистый, без существенного износа; книжный блок плотный, страницы с равномерным естественным пожелтением, без фоксингов.
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Erberg, Konst. [Syunnerberg, K. A.]. The Purpose of Creation [Tsel' tvorchestva]. Second edition, abridged.
Peterburg [Petrograd] : "Alkonost" Publishing House (Military Typography), 1919. 170 pp.
Later private green hardcover. The original publisher's typographic paper wrappers are completely preserved and bound within. Reduced format.
Condition good: the later binding is firm and clean; the text block is tight, pages show natural even age-toning, free of foxing.

A well-preserved philosophical and aesthetic treatise published by "Alkonost," one of the most legendary and highly collectible publishing houses of the Russian Silver Age. Founded in 1918 by Samuil Alyansky, Alkonost was closely associated with the Symbolist movement, particularly Alexander Blok and Andrei Bely, and was renowned for its elegant, high-quality book design despite the severe material shortages of the Russian Civil War. The author, Konstantin Erberg (pseudonym of Konstantin Syunnerberg, 1871-1942), was a prominent art theorist, philosopher, and poet of the Symbolist circle. In "The Purpose of Creation," Erberg explores the psychology of the creative process, intuition, and the strictly non-utilitarian nature of true art. Notably, the book was printed at the "Military Typography on Uritsky Square" (formerly Palace Square), reflecting the turbulent post-revolutionary reality of Petrograd in 1919. The presence of the fragile original publisher's wrappers bound inside a sturdy private hardcover significantly enhances the book's collector appeal. A fine acquisition for collections dedicated to Russian Symbolism, early Soviet publishing history, and the philosophy of art.