Iwaszkiewicz jaroslaw, red shields, [1954].

The 1954 Warsaw edition published by the Czytelnik publishing house is among the classic postwar editions of one of Jaroslaw Iwaszkiewicz’s most important historical novels. “Red Shields,” set in medieval realities, is an example of historical literature with high artistic and stylistic qualities, combining erudite narrative with psychological analysis of characters.

The author – one of the leading representatives of 20th century Polish literature, long-time president of the Union of Polish Writers, an author with an established canonical position – is one of the writers of lasting significance in the history of Polish literature. The editions from the 1950s, published by the Reader, have significant documentary value as a testimony to the postwar literary circulation.

A special value of the copy is the illustrations by Jan Marcin Szancer – one of the most outstanding Polish illustrators of the 20th century. The presence of illustrations enhances the aesthetic and collector’s value of the volume, combining literature with the recognized art of the book.

The copy was bound in a handmade bibliophilic leather binding in the bookbinding workshop of the Polish Antiquarian. The binding’s classic, sturdy construction ensures durability and safe storage, while at the same time giving the volume a representative character, distinguishing it from standard circulating copies.

The combination of a canonical author, an established publishing house, Szancer’s illustrations and a professional bibliophile binding makes this copy an object of distinct collector’s stature within 20th century Polish literature.