Bibliophile Peeter Tulviste - Bibliophilic publications by other artists

In 1926, the first books illustrated by Eduard Wiiralt were published in Paris. His collaboration with the Trianon publishing house began in 1928 with Alexander Pushkin’s poem La Gabrielide, which includes four original copper engravings by Wiiralt. Of the three books published by Trianon on display, the most richly illustrated is Supplément au Traité de la concupiscence de Bossuet by François Mauriac. Its print run was 1,200 copies; the copy in Tulviste’s collection is number 177.

Nesto Jacometti’s book Têtes de Montparnasse (1933) includes, alongside other prominent graphic artists, a ten-page article on Eduard Wiiralt and reproductions of two of his works. The book was published in 350 numbered copies. Tulviste’s copy is number 65.

The publication of the epic Kalevipoeg, featuring rich illustrations created by Kristjan Raud and Hando Mugasto, was a significant event marking the 400th anniversary of the Estonian book in 1935. These illustrations have been used in several later editions, but the leather-bound copies by Eduard Taska of the edition are extremely valuable to this day. Although Tulviste’s collection does also include Kalevipoeg, the work of Kristjan Raud is represented in this exhibition by the book Juhan Liivi luuletused from 1910. The copy on display is from the second print. The first print was destroyed because the meticulous artist was dissatisfied with its colour scheme. The exhibition includes the book by Marie Under, Ja liha sai sõnaks. Valimik kümnest kogust (1936), designed and illustrated by Hando Mugasto.

Like Raud and Mugasto are known in Estonia for their work on Kalevipoeg, Günther Reindorff is primarily associated with his illustrations for Eesti rahva ennemuistsed jutud. Instead of that well-known book, the exhibition presents Marie Under’s Mureliku suuga (1942), illustrated by Reindorff. The jacketed hardcover copy is different from the plain standard edition and is in excellent condition.

Ado Vabbe’s career as a book illustrator began with his collaboration with members of the Siuru literary movement. His expressive designs and illustrations powerfully enhanced the texts by Siuru authors. The first edition of Amores by Henrik Visnapuu (1917) is on display. Extremely rare are Vabbe’s designs for the book Lõbus surm: arlekinaad (1920) by Nikolai Evreinov, a Russian theatre reformer.

Jaan Vahtra followed the Cubist illustration style practised by Märt Laarman. A typical example of his 1920s designs is the volume Bumerang (1925) by Erni Hiir, Johannes Schütz and Mihkel Jürna.

Džunglilinnud, a manuscript poetry collection by Uku Masing, is a particularly rare item. Reproduced as the third or fourth carbon copy of the typescript, it is illustrated by ten original prints by Tiina Kuus, created as her art school graduation project in 1984.

The exhibition also features bibliophilic editions illustrated and designed by two very different artists: Paul Luhtein and Andrus Hallmägi.

Find out more about the exhibition here.