Rogier van Aerde - Kain. Met zwart-wit tekeningen van Wladimir Bielkine. Achtste druk

Rogier van Aerde - Kain. Met zwart-wit tekeningen van Wladimir Bielkine. Achtste druk - Amsterdam - Urbi et Orbi - [c. 1950] - 8th edition - [288] pp - Half cloth binding - 16 x 23,5 cm.

Condition: Good - with some wear and spots; small contemporary owner's entry (dated 1950).

Biblical novel about the character Cain; the son of Adam and Eve, who killed his brother Abel, as recorded in Genesis (the Old Testament) and his descendant Tubal-Cain. Illustrated with prints by Wladimir Bielkine (1895-1966). Hardcover edition.

¶ The debut by Rogier van Aerde, pseudonym of Aad van Rijen (1917-2007) was written in a mythological style, which comes across well with the typography used. The first edition appeared in 1941 and was a success until it was banned by the Germans because it was said to be 'Jewish in spirit'.

According to Van Aerde's obituary (Trouw 21-11-2007), 'Kaïn' sold very well and the book was even translated [I know of a Danish version], but the not very businesslike Van Rijen did not earn a cent from it: "He had signed a strict contract with publisher Urbi et Orbi, stating that he would never earn more than 1,000 guilders from it and that he was not allowed to switch to another publisher until 1950."