Ali and Nino
Close examination suggests that one should be cautious about equating Lev Nussimbaum with other works published by "Kurban Said." Research indicates that Essad Bey did have his fingers in the "Ali and Nino" narrative, particularly in descriptive folkloric and legendary passages which often contained erroneous material but that the original manuscript of "Ali and Nino" did not originate with him but with the Azerbaijani writer Yusif Vazir Chamanzaminli (1887–1942). At issue is whether Lev Nussimbaum was within his rights to use the pseudonym, and whether the name actually originated with him.