Rumyantsev, M. N. In the Arena of the Soviet Circus (Na arene sovetskogo tsirka), 1954. In Russian.

Румянцев М. Н.
На арене советского цирка. / Художник С. Пожарский.
Москва : Искусство, 1954.
144 с. : ил. ; Обычный формат. Твердый издательский переплет. Тираж 20000 экз.
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Rumyantsev, Mikhail.
In the Arena of the Soviet Circus. / Illustrated by S. Pozharsky.
Moscow : Iskusstvo, 1954.
144 pp.: ill.; Regular format. Hardcover. Edition of 20,000 copies. In Russian.

This 1954 volume offers a unique, first-hand look into the evolution of Soviet circus art through the eyes of its most iconic figure, Mikhail Nikolayevich Rumyantsev, world-renowned as the clown Karandash (Pencil). Published during the final decade of his active career, the book is part memoir and part professional treatise, detailing the creative philosophy and technical rigors of clowning in the USSR. Rumyantsev discusses his journey from a poster artist to a People's Artist of the USSR, emphasizing the development of his famous stage persona—the diminutive, clever fellow in oversized pants and a boater hat, accompanied by his faithful terrier, Klyaksa. The text provides a deep dive into the internal logic of the circus ring, including the arrangement of comedic reprises, the psychology of audience interaction, and the transition of the circus from simple spectacle to a respected form of socialist realist art.
The book is elegantly designed by the artist Sergei Pozharsky, a master of Soviet book graphics known for his refined sense of composition and typography. Pozharsky's illustrations and layout capture the dynamic energy of the "arena" while maintaining the dignity of a high-cultural publication of the mid-1950s. Across its 144 pages, the volume features numerous sketches and photographs that document not only Rumyantsev’s own performances but also the wider landscape of the Soviet circus during its "Golden Age." With a print run of 20,000 copies, this 1954 "Iskusstvo" edition was a popular success, yet it remains a foundational primary source for historians of performance art and collectors of circus memorabilia. It serves as a definitive record of how Karandash transformed the role of the clown into a sophisticated satirical commentator, making it a prized acquisition for those interested in the cultural history of the Soviet Union.