KARAMZIN Nikolai - History of the Russian State [set of 12 volumes] [1824-1830].

Warsaw 1824-1830. by Zawadzki and Węcki. 12.5x21.5 cm, pp. XXXIV, 234, 174, (6), 289, 210, (6), (2), 265, 158, (6), 271, 202, (6), 366, 231, (4), 336, 116, (4), 205, 157, (2), 283, 106, (6), 429, 240, (4), 251, 108, (4), 276, 106, (6), 270, 185, (3) [set of 12 volumes], Karamzin portrait (lithograph by J. Piwarski) in front of title page in volume I, fold-out map of Russia in volume I, contemporary leather bookbinding, signed with stickers of the Polish Antiquarian Bookbinders of Warsaw. Good condition (library entries of the Piarist school in Radom from 1824-1832, undated library and ownership stamps [by Wiktor Gomulicki in Volume V], map underpainting, minor foxing).

A monumental historical work by Nikolai Karamzin (1766-1826), a Russian writer, publicist and historian who played a key role in shaping Russian historiography and national identity. The book consists of 12 volumes and covers the history of Russia from its legendary beginnings to the reign of Tsar Mikhail Romanov. Karamzin describes in detail the formation of Russian statehood, the beginnings of Kyiv Rus, the development of feudalism, the struggle against Mongol invasions and the formation of Moscow as the center of the state. It was the first such comprehensive attempt to write down the history of the Russian nation. The entire work was translated by Gregory Buczynski, who dedicated his translation to Emperor Alexander I.