Gorky, Maxim, i. e. Alexei Maximovitch Peshkov, Russian writer (1868-1936). Autograph letter signed ("M. Gorky").

[Moscow, 1905].

4to. 1 p. on bifolium. In Russian. Also bearing a translation of the letter into French in the hand of Sophia Andreyeva (1 p.).

 8,500.00

To the American bibliophile James Carleton Young, who had offered to purchase a manuscript of Gorky's: "You once proposed that I sell you one of my manuscripts for your library. Today I am offering you the manuscript of my play, 'Children of the Sun', written during my imprisonment in the Peter and Paul Fortress in St Petersburg. The money you give me for this manuscript will be employed for the work of delivering my people who are sinking under their political burden. It is not proper for me, Sir, to set the price: I ask you to do so according to your opinion, for my intention is to ask you to help me [...]" (transl.).

Gorky provides his address at 4 Vozdvizhenka Street, Moscow, where he lived in furnished rooms at the Peterhof Hotel in 1905. James Carleton Young (1856-1918) was a celebrated American collector; his collection was sold at auction by Anderson Galleries in New York, 1916.

Provenance: Heritage auction, 14 October 2010, lot 34174. Some slight damage to edges, otherwise in fine condition.

Stock Code: BN#57538 Tag: