Very large photo album format measuring 16 ½" x 11 ¼". In leatherette-wrapped hard cover with embossed decorative centerpiece around the title; 122 pp., illustrated with photos, drawings and diagrams. Published by State Publishers of Technical Literature of the Ukrainian SSR, only 5,000 copies in print. The volume contains a 10-page illustrated preface on the use of ceramics in construction, followed by four sections providing different types of ceramic products for different applications in construction, each type with technical parameters and illustrated with drawings, photos and diagrams.

The title page shows two ink stamps of the library of the Sverdlovsk City Construction Design Institute.

In excellent condition. Minimal fraying to the leatherette at the head and foot of the spine is the only wear visible to the naked eye. The binding is tight and strong, and the textblock is pristine.

The illustrations feature almost exclusively examples of the Stalin Empire style buildings erected in Kiev after WW2. However, the preface has a reference to the XIX Congress of the CPSU (1952) but not a single mention of Stalin, even though in 1954 Stalin has not yet been officially denounced. Apparently, the State Publishers of Technical Literature of the UkrSSR held their collective nose to the wind!

Please note that the pen in our photo is for size reference.