DOLGOPOLSKI, TSADOK. 1879-1959. Dem zedns klole. [Grandfather's Curses.] Moscow: Tsentrain Yidishn Komisariat, 1919.
Oblong 8vo (143 x 380 mm). 32 pp (partially uncut). Original cream wrappers designed by El Lissitsky. Closed marginal tear to title page, library marks.

FIRST AND ONLY EDITION of this rare Yiddish children's book illustrated by Lissitsky. Dolgopolski's one-act play belonged to the "Yidishe Teatrale Bibliotek" or Jewish Theater Library series and was published by the Jewish Commissariat. During the purge of "Jewish nationalists" between 1936 and 1937, Dolgopolski was arrested with all the other Yiddish intellectuals in Minsk. He was the only survivor. After Yiddish was outlawed by Stalin, all children's books in this language (including this charming play) were seized and most were destroyed. Apter-Gabriel 83.