Collectors with a love of Constructivism are in for a treat in an upcoming London auction on March 1. Up for sale are a number of editions of the Constructivist periodical, LEF (or Left Art Front), overseen by Vladimir Vladimirovich Mayakovsky.
Mayakovsky was a Russian and Soviet poet and playwright. He also among the main purveyors of early-20th century Russian Futurism, a movement which provocatively rejected the past in favour of machine-driven modern life.
 Mayakovsky's Futurist LEF periodicals, for sale as a complete set |
LEF defined Mayakovsky's work in Communist Futurism. This rare and complete set of LEF editions, published in Moscow & St Petersburg, includes contributions by Brik, Tretyakov, Pasternak, Stepanova, Popova and Rodchenko. The final issue includes Mayakovsky's elegy to Lenin.
Especially striking are LEF's visuals and illustrations, with some printed in colour. The 29 issues in this complete set date to 1923-28. The lot is expected to sell for between £5,000-7,000 ($10,983). Given LEF's significance, it sounds like a potential bargain to us.
