December 2020 Auction Ends Thursday, December 10th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/10/2020
Russian novelist Ivan Turgenev autograph letter signed, a rare letter by the great 19th century author. Turgenev writes to French socialite Valentine Delessert, praising fellow novelist Charles Dickens' ''The Pickwick Papers'', and also referring to his upcoming novel ''Smoke''. Dated 14 January 1866 from Baden, Germany, letter in French reads in full,
''What are you doing, dear Madam, and how is your health? It is too long since I have had any news of you. I know that you have been preoccupied all this time with the marriage of the Duke of Mouchy; if you now have a few free minutes, use them to write me a couple words. That would bring me the greatest joy - as I do not need to tell you how sincerely I am attached to you.
As for me, I believe that I have put down roots in Baden for good. My health is passable, I often go hunting, and I have returned to work: I am undertaking a large novel - I have this bull by the horns - but I do not know at all if I will have the strength to throw it to the ground. In the meantime, we have been facing off.
My daughter and I have arranged to meet in Paris in February or March at the latest: I will therefore have the pleasure of seeing you soon and I hope to find you in good health, you and your whole world.
I will permit myself to ask the following favor of you: I wanted to give my friend Viardot the pleasure of reading Dickens's Pickwick in the good translation published by Hachette: I wrote to Paris, but it would appear that the edition is sold out. If I am not mistaken, I believe I saw a copy of it at your place. Would you be so extremely obliging as to wrap it up and send it to me? I will bring it back to you intact in February.
Accept my gratitude in advance and trust in the sincerity of my unwavering devotion. / I. Turgenev''. Three page letter on blue lined bifolium stationery measures 5'' x 8'' as folded. Light wear and folds, overall in very good plus condition with excellent legibility. With full translation.
Ivan Turgenev Autograph Letter Signed Praising Dickens: ''the pleasure of reading Dickens's Pickwick'' and His Own Novel ''Smoke'': ''I am undertaking a large novel - I have this bull by the horns''
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