October 2021 Auction Ends Thursday, October 28th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/28/2021
Autograph letter signed by Russian novelist Ivan Turgenev, considered one of the great novelists and short story writers of the 19th century. A rare and poignant letter by the author, Turgenev writes to French socialite Valentine Delessert, referring to his daughter Paulinette, who seemed to have recently suffered a miscarriage. Dated 31 July 1868 from Baden, Germany, letter in French reads in full,
''Dear Madam, I received your letter, as well as your telegram: the news you shared with me are sad; but in the meantime I have had several days of still greater fears - Paulinette is holding up well - that is a consolation - and gives her hope, the poor child! She wrote to me - I responded to her immediately - and I would have gone to see her right away, if I had not been held back by my gout, which barely lets me walk around my room with the help of a cane. But this cannot last long - and as soon as I can I will go to France.
I am forwarding you Paulinette's letter, which is truly quite touching and which once again shows what a good mother she would have been... and will be, I hope. She has great reserves of affection - exclusive, to be sure. But those she loves, she loves greatly, and you are at the top of the list, which is nothing but fair and natural. They could have been so happy, she and her husband!... Indeed! What we need most in life is patience.
I hope to see you again soon, dear Madam, and in the meantime, please accept, with my most sincere gratitude, this assurance of my attachment both profound and unwavering. / I. Turgenev''. Three page letter on bifolium stationery measures 5'' x 8'' as folded. Light wear and folds, overall in very good plus condition with excellent legibility. With full translation.
Russian Novelist Ivan Turgenev Autograph Letter Signed, Seeming to Allude to His Daughter's Miscarriage -- ''...What a good mother she would have been... and will be, I hope...''
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