Fabergé: Treasures of Imperiale Russia

Fabergé: Treasures of Imperial Russia Coffee Table Book
2004

February 4, 2004 -- Sotheby's announced that the Forbes Collection of Fabergé, which had been scheduled to be sold at auction in New York on April 20th and 21st, was sold privately to a prominent Russian industrialist, Mr. Victor Vekselberg, for an undisclosed amount. Prior to returning to Russia, highlights from the Collection, including the fabled nine Imperial Easter Eggs, went on public exhibition at Sotheby's in New York. Mr. Vekselberg, who acquired the Collection, said: "The Fabergé Egg Collection, purchased from the Forbes family by The Link of Times Cultural and Historical Foundation I have established, represents perhaps the most significant example of our cultural heritage outside Russia. The religious, spiritual, and emotional content captured by these Fabergé eggs touches upon the soul of the Russian people. Upon learning that the Forbes Collection was going to be auctioned, I knew immediately that this was a once in a lifetime chance to give back to my country one of its most revered treasures. I am honored to have this privilege and to make this important collection available to the Russian public."

Mr. Vekselberg asked Sotheby’s to work with his Foundation to design and print a magnificent book dedicated to Carl Faberge's life and creative work, and to the unique Easter eggs that immortalized his name. Peter Carl Faberge was a Russian jeweler, best known for the famous Faberge eggs, made in the style of genuine Easter eggs, but using precious metals and gemstones rather than more mundane materials. Titled Fabergé: Treasures of Imperial Russia, it took nine months to produce a lavish nine-pound, 352-page, red cloth hardbound book with gold foil stamp, which is beautifully photographed throughout and comes in a presentation slipcase with illustrations of the Coronation Egg on the front. The text pages, which are in both English and Russian printed on 100# cover stock and ran through the presses two times to print 8/8 colors.

Client: Mr. Victor Vekselberg, The Link of Times Foundation; Project Manager & Editors: Olga Miller Noerper, André Ruzhnikov; Creative Director: Harold Burch; Sandra Burch; Designers: Harold Burch; Sandra Burch; Tirso Montan; Christina Freyss; Author: Geza Von Habsburg; Photographer: Jerry Fetzer; Printer: Phoenix Lithographing Keith Harrington; Paper: MeadWestvaco Corporation Hilary Strauss Hahn; Awards: MeadWestvaco Paper, CA Magazine