Preparing for his departure for Europe. 1856

Ivan Sergeyevich Turgenev (1818-1883)
Preparing for his departure for Europe. 1856
Autograph letter signed (‘Iv. Turgenev’) to August Viedert, Spasskoe, 26 May 1856.

In Russian. 2½ pages, 217 x 138mm. Provenance: Serge Lifar (1905-1986), stamp to upper left of p.1 – Sotheby’s, 10 June 2009, lot 107 (part).

Preparing for his departure for Europe. Turgenev had delayed responding to Viedert's letter because he was not sure he would receive his passport for his proposed trip to Europe: but now he has it, and he plans to leave Saint Petersburg on a steamer for Stettin on 22 [actually 21] July / 2 August, and to be in Berlin on 5 or 6 August; very likely Nikolay Nekrasov will accompany him. Turgenev gives his correspondence address in Saint Petersburg at the house of Musin-Pushkin in case Viedert would like him to bring some Russian books with him. A postscript notes that he had accidentally delayed sending the letter until 1 June.

Published in New Zealand Slavonic Journal, 1991, 48.

This lot has been imported from outside of the UK for sale and placed under the Temporary Admission regime. Import VAT is payable at 5% on the hammer price. VAT at 20% will be added to the buyer’s premium but will not be shown separately on our invoice.
Please note this lot is the property of a consumer. See H1 of the Conditions of Sale.