RR, 1920s, Raspoutin & The Shooting of the Tsar, Romanov, Christidis Litho Cover

Description

Exceptionally Rare First Edition – Greek Historical Novel, 1920s

For sale is a scarce and highly collectible first edition of Ο Τουφεκισμός του Τσάρου και ο κακούργος Ρασπουτιν (The Tsar’s Execution and the Criminal Rasputin – A Historical Novel of Horror and Blood) by Il. I. Economopoulos, published in Athens by Pallas Athena in the 1920s.

This dramatic early 20th-century Greek historical novel draws inspiration from the memoirs of noted British journalist and writer William Le Queux (1864–1927), incorporating themes of intrigue, espionage, and political upheaval surrounding the final days of the Russian Imperial family and the notorious figure of Grigori Rasputin.

Item Details

• Author: Il. I. Economopoulos (Ηλ. Ι. Οικονομόπουλος)

• Title: Ο Τουφεκισμός του Τσάρου και ο κακούργος Ρασπουτιν

• Publisher: Pallas Athena, Athens

• Publication Date: 1920s

• Edition: First Edition

• Pages: 255

• Dimensions: 21.5 cm × 14.5 cm

• Binding: Hard binding with the original lithographed cover

• Cover Artist: Sotiris Christidis (1858–1940)

• Condition: Very Good vintage condition with expected age-related wear (see photos for details).

 

About the Book

This rare novel is a striking example of Greek popular historical fiction of the interwar period. Its sensational narrative claims to reveal details about the execution of the Tsar—presented as Tsar Alexander in the novel—and the involvement of the “criminal Rasputin,” based on “secret documents” allegedly gathered by British counterintelligence and recorded by William Le Queux, whose writings often blended espionage, political drama, and sensational storytelling.

Books of this type—merging international intrigue with dramatic historical reinterpretation—were popular among Greek readers of the era but have since become extremely scarce, especially in complete form and with original artwork intact.

 

About the Cover Artist: Sotiris Christidis

The lithographed cover is the work of Sotiris (Sotirios) Christidis, a significant Greek illustrator, painter, and lithographer active from the late 19th century into the early 20th century.

Christidis (1858–1940):

• Born in Thessaloniki; trained in Athens.

• Worked in industrial design before studying lithography under Karolos Haupt.

• Became active in the publishing world through Dimitrios Papadimitriou.

• Opened his art studio in Athens in 1904.

• Best known for his vivid illustrations of the Balkan Wars and for his contributions to Greek popular novels and historical fiction.

• His work was formally recognized in the 1938 exhibition curated by architect and artist Dimitris Pikionis, highlighting the importance of Greek traditional art.

The cover of this novel is an excellent example of his expressive and dramatic lithographic style.

 

A Rare Collectible

This first edition is extremely difficult to find, especially with its original Christidis litho cover and in solid condition. It is a valuable item for collectors of:

 

• Early 20th-century Greek literature

• Rasputin & Russian Imperial-era narratives

• William Le Queux–related works

• Greek lithographic art and book illustration