A Note on Sources.
The thesis is a study of Khlebnikov's published writings. The primary source in this respect is the five-volume Sobranie nroizvedenii edited by N. Stepanov and published in Leningrad between 1928 and 1933. To this must be added two other collections, Neizdannye proizvedenia and Nesobrannye proizvedenia both of which are included (in Vols. IV and III respectively) of the four—volume reprint of Steyanov's collection published by Wilhelm Fink—Verlag in Munich, 1968-1973.
References in the thesis to French Cubism, Russian modernist painting, James Joyce, Russian historical events, Symbolism, and biographical details concerning Khlebnikov are treated as background material of some use in throwing light on Khlebnikov's writings. No attempt has been made, however, to do original research in any of these fields. The sources consulted have been almost entirely secondary ones, convenience having been the main consideration. It is hoped, however, that in some respects an original contribution has been made in relating certain important but little-known writings of Khlebnikov to modernist currents and works which are likely to be familiar to the Western reader.
