Ludwik Kubala, Historical Sketches: Series One and Two [1901]

Size: 18 cm.

Volume: Series I: 337 pp. + portrait plate; Series II: 316 pp. + portrait plate. [two series in one volume, totaling 653 pp. + 2 plates]

Binding: Period half-leather binding, wide spine with a red leather label bearing gold lettering; the initials “S.M.” embossed in gold at the bottom of the spine.

Ludwik Kubala (1838–1918), a historian from Lviv, combined meticulous research of primary sources with vivid storytelling. Henryk Sienkiewicz drew on his *Historical Sketches* while writing *The Trilogy*. Series I covers the era of John II Casimir: the siege of Lviv (1648), the Battle of Zbaraż and the Zborów Agreement, the Battle of Berestechko, Pushkin’s diplomatic mission, and the Kostka-Napierski Uprising. Series II includes, among other things, studies on the Radziejowski trial, the origins of the liberum veto, “Krwawe swaty,” “Czarna śmierć,” the Żwaniec expedition, and the Polish bourgeoisie of the 17th century. Each series opens with a plate featuring a portrait of John II Casimir. Fourth edition, Gebethner and Wolff, 1901.

Both series in a single volume. The endpaper and half-title page bear a “St. Majewski” stamp, corresponding to the gilded initials “S.M.” on the spine.

Small spots on the paper. Period half-leather binding in good condition.

An item from the 18th Polish Antiquarian Book Auction.