Ivan Sergeyevich Turgenev (1818-1883)
Working on Virgin Soil and a novella. 1876
Autograph letter signed ('Ivan Tourguéneff') to an unidentified newspaper editor ('Monsieur'), 50 rue de Douai, [Paris], 'Samedi', n.d. [?1876].

In French. Two pages, 205 x 131mm, on a bifolium with embossed initials 'IT'.

On his concurrent work on Virgin Soil and a novella. 'I have thought over the conversation we have just had – and this is what I have to say. Alongside the large novel of which I spoke to you, I currently have in hand a work of lesser dimensions, a novella, which will be perhaps completed before the novel. I think that it will meet your requirements better – for I am not absolutely sure that the novel will match the tone and colour of your newspaper. – In any case, I will offer you one or other of these works. – Only, I beg you, when you announce my name, please do not announce the nature of the work I intend for you – and do not fix the precise period of the publication. On the one hand, I would not like to make you break your word to your readers – and on the other hand – the publication could take place earlier than I have said'.

Turgenev's address at 50 rue de Douai indicates that the novel in question is his last, Nov' (Virgin Soil), published in 1877 in Vestnik Evropy. The novella referred to may be The Dream, which appeared in Le Temps, in a translation by the author, in January 1877.

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