Permitin, E. N. The Trap (Kapkan), 1932. Book 1. Binding design by B. Titov. In Russian.

Пермитин Е. Н.
Капкан. / Книга 1. 4-е издание. Обложка работы Б. Титова.
Москва : Издательство «Федерация», 1932.
224 с. ; 20,3 × 13,5 см. В издательском иллюстрированном картонажном переплете. Тираж 10 200 экз. Состояние: утрачена большая часть корешка.
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Permitin, Efim.
The Trap (Kapkan). / Book 1. Fourth edition. Cover design by B. Titov.
Moscow : Federatsia Publishing House, 1932.
224 pp. ; 20.3 × 13.5 cm. In original illustrated cardboard binding. Edition of 10,200 copies. Condition: major part of the spine is missing. In Russian.

This 1932 edition of The Trap (Kapkan) represents a significant moment in the literary career of Efim Permitin, a writer and educator whose work is deeply rooted in the rugged landscapes and social transformations of Siberia and the Altai region. As the first volume of his acclaimed cycle, the text provides a deep dive into the internal logic of the Siberian village during the tumultuous transition to Soviet rule, including the arrangement of traditional hunting life, the harsh realities of the taiga, and the inevitable class conflicts that arose during the early years of collectivization. Permitin, who drew heavily from his own experiences as a teacher and journalist in the East, infused the narrative with a gritty realism and a profound understanding of rural psychology, making The Trap a cornerstone of early 20th-century Siberian prose.
The book is notable for its striking visual presentation, featuring an original illustrated cardboard binding designed by Boris Titov, one of the most prolific and influential book designers of the Soviet avant-garde and early Stalinist eras. Titov’s cover reflects the dynamic, often stark aesthetic of the early 1930s, utilizing bold typography and graphic elements to capture the predatory and suspenseful themes of the title. Published by the Federatsia house, this 224-page volume arrived at a time when the Siberian literary voice was being integrated into the broader Soviet canon. Despite a print run of over 10,000 copies, well-preserved examples of this fragile cardboard binding are increasingly rare, especially those retaining their original structural integrity. For bibliophiles, historians of Siberian literature, and collectors of Soviet book design, this 1932 Moscow imprint is a vital primary source, documenting the evolution of the regional novel and the artistic standards of the pre-war period.