Giovagnoli, R. Spartacus (Spartak), 1968. Illustrated by Savva Brodsky. In Russian.

Рафаэлло Джованьоли. Спартак: Историческая повесть из VII в. римской эры. / Пер. с итал. А. Ясной; Послесл. А. Гуэрра; Примеч. В. Узина; Илл. С. Бродского.
Москва : Молодая гвардия, 1968.
623 с., 24 л. ил. Твердый издательский переპлет, суперобложка, альбомный формат. Тираж 10 000 экз.
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Giovagnoli, Raffaello. Spartacus: A Historical Novella from the 7th Century of the Roman Era. / Translated from Italian by A. Yasnaya; Afterword by A. Guerra; Notes by V. Uzin; Illustrated by S. Brodsky.
Moscow: Molodaya Gvardiya, 1968.
623 pp., 24 plates of illustrations. Hardcover with dust jacket, large format. Print run: 10,000 copies. 

This 1968 edition of Raffaello Giovagnoli’s Spartacus is a standout volume in the history of Soviet book design, primarily due to the extraordinary artistic contribution of Savva Brodsky (1923–1982). While Giovagnoli’s romanticized account of the legendary Thracian gladiator had long been a staple of revolutionary and youth literature in the USSR, this particular publication elevated the text into a realm of high-graphic art. The book features 24 plates of illustrations where Brodsky employs his signature dramatic, high-contrast style to capture the psychological intensity and monumental scale of the Roman servile wars. His depictions of Spartacus and the gladiator barracks are not merely decorative but serve as a profound visual commentary on the themes of human dignity and the tragic nature of the struggle for freedom.
The edition is further distinguished by its comprehensive scholarly apparatus, including an insightful afterword by A. Guerra and detailed historical notes by V. Uzin, which provide the necessary context for the 7th-century Roman era settings. The presence of the original dust jacket, also designed with Brodsky's stark aesthetic, makes this a particularly desirable find for collectors, as these fragile covers were often lost or damaged in library settings. With a relatively modest print run of 10,000 copies for a popular classic, this edition was clearly intended as a prestige art-book for bibliophiles rather than a mass-market paperback. The translation by A. Yasnaya remains the standard Russian rendition, preserving the lyrical and spirited tone of the Italian original. This volume represents a perfect synthesis of 19th-century romantic historiography and 20th-century Soviet graphic mastery, making it a cornerstone for any collection of illustrated world classics.