Rudolph Ackermann (1764-1834). Historical sketch of Moscow: illustrated by twelve views of different parts of that imperial city, the Kremlin, &c. London: R. Ackermann, 1813. E1675

Rudolph Ackermann (1764-1834). Historical sketch of Moscow: illustrated by twelve views of different parts of that imperial city, the Kremlin, &c. London: R. Ackermann, 1813. E1675

The Big Pomegranate ... We toyed with idea of calling this exhibition "St. Petersburg: The Second City," not only because of Moscow's historical firstness, but also because its architecture and art looks like nothing else, anywhere else; it embodies the ancient Russian soul distilled in a few glorious structures. We include this volume to show that we are always on the lookout for interesting books about Russia, whether or not about St. Petersburg, and from both sides of the window. This volume produced by Rudolf Ackermann is one of our most recent purchases, and bespeaks the fact that artists, publishers, engravers, paper-makers, plate-makers, letter engravers, aquatint ground layers, and press engineers collaborated in an intensely creative period in 18th and 19th century London. Ackermann himself was a German from Saxony who moved to England in his 20s. The Ackermann family and firm was pre-eminent in the business of making prints and was in business until just a few years ago. The Moscow volume is considered to be "a very rare Ackermann" in any case, and is one of the very rare colored copies: it's usually found uncolored.

E1675