Maxim Gorky (Alexei Maximovich Peshkov, 1868-1936)
Proposing to sell the manuscript of Children of the Sun. 1905
Autograph letter signed ('M. Gorky') to James Carleton Young, Moscow, n.d. [1905].

In Russian. One page, 273 x 215mm, on a bifolium, also bearing a translation of the letter into French in the hand of Sophia Andreyeva. Provenance: Heritage auction, 14 October 2010, 34174.

Sir,

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 Saint 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.

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.

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.
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