This is the first, almost universal book, revealing new theme that was described only in several special publications. This serious research work that reminds idea of "encyclopedia" could be used also as a text-book on history of antiques in Russia. Author-compiler of the book, historian of art Vladislav Tolmatsky, is well known specialist thanks to his articles in magazine "Antikvarnoye Obozrenie" (The antique review) and his works on history of St. Petersburg antique market. Valentin Skurlov is a historian of jeweler art, an expert of Russian Federation Ministry of Culture, consultant of the Christie's Auction. Alexander Ivanov is also an expert of Russian Federation Ministry of Culture, and experienced author on Russian jeweler art.

A lot of different archive documents, memoirs, reviews, and periodicals were analyzed and some facts and documents were printed in this book the first time. The book is richly illustrated. A lot of archive photos and materials, photographic reproductions of paintings and other samples of art that were in sale in antique shops of St. Petersburg in different periods of time are depicted in edition in a good quality. This is not only exiting story of antique business in Russia with information about shops, galleries, auctions, lotteries, and owners of rarities but also capturing narration on full of adventures life of collectors and history of their items. Detailed description of big number high quality antiques that were in sale in different periods but now are in unknown places adds special value to the book. We hope that this information will be useful for curators of museums and will help them in attribution of art pieces.

The book includes two big parts where material is organized chronologically. The first part describes antique market of St. Petersburg from the moment when it was organized in Russia until the October Revolution of 1917. The second part devoted to the soviet and post-soviet periods.