The Russian subject in English editions from Stroganov library

In Stroganov' library there is a small collection of English editions of XVIII-XIX centuries. English literature is presented here by a wide range of its directions and genres. However there are not so many editions in English in Stroganov' book collection. If to raise a question of how the Russian subject is reflected in English editions of Stroganov' library, it is necessary to state its very modest specific weight. In the library there is two-volume "History of campaigns of the count Alexander Suvorov Rymniksky" published in London (1799) in French. On frontispiece there is an oval portrait of the great Russian commander. In Stroganov' library there is an English edition of the book of A. Demidov devoted to travel to the Crimea, made in 1837. This Book was published in London in 1853 in English. Researchers note the value of this work containing interesting notes and the bright facts, at times the unique. In the English collection of Stroganov' library there are 9 volumes (1848-1854) of the illustrated London weekly "The Illustrated London News", the popular periodical of the Victorian England. Studying of issues of the weekly from Stroganov' library allows to allocate two large subjects, connected with the Russian theme on the pages of «The Illustrated London News». In 1851 Russia participated in the London Exhibition. For many people in Britain Russia remained unknown. The presentation of Russia at the Exhibition of 1851 "was attempt of fight against russophobia and stereotypes which deeply rooted at the western consciousness". The presented samples of Russian art became the real sensation at the London exhibition. "The illustrated London News" wrote that only fairy palace could be furnished with such incredible malachite. Russia tried to present positively a largely unknown "other" to the world, and this attempt was successful. If the Exhibition of 1851 promoted disclosure of the bright sides of the Russian art culture, the Crimean war, fed incitement of hatred to the power which was wished to be defeated and destructed. "The illustrated London News" often published the engraved impressions of artists or the photo from a place of events. Illustrations of the well-known London periodical may be a fine source of visual images of one of tragic pages of our history. At the same time, prevalence on pages of the edition of the aggressive rhetoric based on opposition of the progressive West and the despotic Russian Empire is evident. Not incidentally, therefore, in many issues of the newspaper of the Crimean war epoch the text of articles is carefully erased by someone. Studying of English editions in Stroganov' book collection allows to consider among other subjects this small collection also through a prism of a problem of interpenetration, mutually comprehension of English and Russian cultures of XVIII - the first half of the XIX centuries.

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