Moskva [Moscow]: Soyuz pisateley, 1966, 1967. First edition. The first publication of "The Master and Margarita" appeared in this Moscow Magazine over two issues 1966 - 1967. Two large 8vo volumes (256 x 165 mm), still in the original printed wrappers; each volume 224 pages of text with an additional 8 pages of color illustrations. Both volumes are generally Very Good+, some overall age toning, spines a bit cocked, faint marginal dampstaining to the lower margin of the 1966 issue, spine a bit faded on the 1967 issue, otherwise a clean copy internally. Scarce on the market, with just a handful surfacing over the last several years.

"The Master and Margarita" is Bulgakov’s masterpiece and is considered by many to be the finest novel to come out of Russia in the twentieth century. Started in 1928, Bulgakov burned the manuscript in 1930, only to re-write and revise it for the next ten years until his death. A socio-political satire oscillating between two realities, one where the Devil and his entourage take a flat in 1930s Russia and wreak havoc on society in a series of amusing escapades, the second in Pontius Pilot's Jerusalem, where Pilot condemns Jesus, despite grave misgivings. A work of unique humor and profound insight, it builds upon the great 19th century Russian predecessors and is now a foundation of the modern Russian literary canon. Very Good + (Item #2114)