Books

Octavo. Original printed wrappers. Minor soiling. Half title. Single portrait. Text block printed on poor paper but this example is quite clean and crisp overall. An excellent copy. This is the first Ukrainian edition of Orwell's classic anti Russian (Anti Stalinist) satirical allegorical novella. It was first published in August 17, 1945 in London. Quite simply the plot revolves around the farm animals rising up against the farmer and trying to create a just and equal society. Orwell was very much influenced by the events in Stalinist Russia and he wrote the book in 1943/44. In 1946 Ivan Shevchenko wrote to Orwell asking him for his approval to publish a Ukrainian translation of the book. The translation was verbally done as the book was read aloud to Ukrainian Displaced Persons (DP's) who were amazed at the contents. The book was an immediate hit with the Ukrainian people but others were not too sure. Many copies were seized by the Americans and turned over to the Soviets who destroyed them. I am sure the DP's cherished the book and helped to see that copies were saved. The book has become quite rare due to the censorship and the poor production material. This particular copy belonged to a DP that emigrated to Canada after the war. They must have treasured it immensely.

Animal Farm is an allegorical novella by George Orwell, first published in England on 17 August 1945. The book tells the story of a group of farm animals who revolt against their human farmer, hoping to create a society where animals can be equal, free, and just. However, the revolution is hijacked by the pigs, who become just as oppressive as the humans. Animal Farm is an allegory for the Russian Revolution and the subsequent Soviet Union.