The Imperial Public Library in St Petersburg was the first state library in Russia. Its chief, binding purpose was the creation of "a complete collection of Russian books" — meaning in this context all books produced from the moment printing began in Russia as well as books published in Russian beyond the frontiers of the Empire. In addition it was intended that the "complete Russian library" include books about Russia published in foreign languages.Catherine II was also directly involved in the formation of the library's stocks. On her orders in the summer and autumn of 1795 the Zaiuski brothers' book collection was transported from Warsaw to St Petersburg — on carts as far as Riga and then on to the capital by ship. This collection formed the nucleus of the Public Library's foreign-language stocks. According to Catherine's original concept, the collection brought from Poland was to be combined with others already at the disposal of the Imperial Court — the Hermitage Library and the personal collections of Voltaire, Diderot and the president of the St Petersburg Academy of Sciences, Johann Korff. As things turned out, however, this plan was destined to be realised only in the 1860s when the Hermitage Library and the books which once belonged to the two great Frenchmen finally came into the Public Library.

PUBLISHED DATE	1884 PARIS
ARTIST	DE LA CHARLERIE
ENGRAVED BY	PANNEMAKER
PUBLISHER	THOMAS DE LAMOTTE SAINTE-MARTIN
PAGE SIZE: approx	14 3/4 INCHES x 10 1/2 INCHES
IMAGE SIZE: approx	6 X 5 1/2 INCHES
CONDITION	LARGE FOLIO INTEXT ENGRAVING with TEXT on the back . Excellent condition. Heavier paper.Suitable ageing. The image is clean, clear and sharp with beautiful depth and detail.