[Signed] Kakabadze, Polikarpe. King Bagrat VII (Mephe Bagrat' meshvide). First edition, 1969. In Georgian.

კაკაბაძე, პოლიკარპე. მეფე ბაგრატ მეშვიდე / საქართველოს თეატრალური საზოგადოება. პირველი გამოცემა.
თბილისი : გამომცემლობა „ხელოვნება“, 1969. 165 გვერდი.
ნაბეჭდი გარეკანი. 20 სმ. ტირაჟი 20 000 ც. სუპერ-გარეკანი თანდართული.
წინა ფორზაცზე - ავტორის ხელნაწერი მიძღვნა (28.XI.1969).
ყდა და ბლოკი - ძალიან კარგი: მტკიცე და სუფთა; სუპერ-გარეკანი - დამაკმაყოფილებელი: ცვეთა კიდეებზე, მცირე ჩამოხეული კუთხეები.
***
Kakabadze, Polikarpe. King Bagrat VII / Georgian Theatrical Society. First edition.
Tbilisi : "Khelovneba" Publishing House, 1969. 165 pages.
Paper wrappers. 20 cm. Print run of 20,000 copies. Original dust jacket present.
Signed by the author on the front free endpaper, with a presentation inscription dated 28 November 1969.
Binding and text block very good: firm and clean throughout; dust jacket fair: edge wear, small chips and tears along the extremities.

A notable first edition of the historical play "King Bagrat VII" by Polikarpe Kakabadze (1895-1972), one of the foundational figures of twentieth-century Georgian drama. Best known for his classic satirical comedy "Kvarkvare Tutaberi", Kakabadze also dedicated significant creative energy to historical drama, exploring the complex and often tragic history of the Georgian kingdoms. This play centers on King Bagrat VII of Kartli (ruled 1615-1619), a controversial historical figure who was installed by the Persian Shah Abbas I after the devastating invasions of eastern Georgia. The narrative delves into the themes of political survival, collaboration, and national identity during one of the darkest periods of Georgian history. Published in 1969 under the auspices of the Georgian Theatrical Society, the book features a distinctive graphic dust jacket typical of late 1960s Soviet Georgian design. This specific copy holds exceptional association value: it is inscribed by Kakabadze to the family of his late friend and contemporary, the prominent Georgian poet and playwright Viktor Gabeskiria (1903-1964). Inscribed "To the family of my untimely departed friend... as a sign of respect", the volume serves as a poignant physical testament to the enduring bonds within the mid-century Tbilisi literary intelligentsia.