[The Bonfire]. Koster. Nos 5, 6.

Covers by V. Konashevich (No 5) and A. Pakhomov (No 6).

[Leningrad], Leningradskii OK i GK VLKSM, 1943. 
8vo, No 5. August. 23, [1] pp., ill. No 6. September. 23, [1] pp., ill. 

In original pictorial wrappers. With errata slip (No 6). 
In good condition, overall worn to wrappers, soiling, minor losses to spines, small owner marks to front covers and title pages. 

Rare wartime issues.
One of 7 000 copies (each one) printed. The issues were signed for print on September 2, 1943 (No. 5) and on October 6, 1943 (No. 6). The Siege of Leningrad ended on January 27, 1944.

These issues were published during the Siege of Leningrad and include verses by Vera Inber and Vladimir Lifshits. They feature 'Leningrad Fairy Tale' by Evgeny Schwartz, with illustrations by Vladimir Konashevich, about the city's creation and a war between the water spirit Vodyanoy, the forest spirit Lesovik, and Humans. This fairy tale appears here for the first time. The publications also contain military and patriotic stories. Issue No 6 is illustrated with a photomontage of Soviet pioneers in summer camps.