On the difficulties of Russian book publishing in exile. 1923

Maxim Gorky (Alexei Maximovich Peshkov, 1868-1936)
On the difficulties of Russian book publishing in exile. 1923
Autograph letter signed ('A. Peshkov') to [Zinovii Isaevich Grzhebin], Gunterstal, 5 October 1923.

In Russian. One page, 283 x 218mm, the verso with an autograph note signed by Gorky's secretary (and lover) Moura Budberg.

On the impossible situation of Russian book publishing in exile. 'You of course understand ... how difficult it is for me to advise you in this particular case, but the situation seems to me to be hopeless. It is impossible to work in Germany now – you know it much better than I do. Besides, I do not see in which country it is possible to establish solid Russian book publishing. It is only possible to talk about attractive formats which would find a sale among foreigners, but the number of Russian readers is probably reduced, due to the fall in buying power and exile from Europe – to Russia; to America. Nowadays, people are even going to Hindustan. But will you get an opportunity to work in Russia? This is the question'. Gorky recommends that Grzhebin present himself to 'Schmidt' as a representative of Russian state publishing: 'This would create an official position for you...'.

Z.I. Grzhebin (1877-1929) was a major figure in the history of Russian publishing, particularly through the Shipovnik and Pantheon publishing houses. He was closely associated with Gorky from 1905 onwards, publishing a series of the writer's works, and collaborated with him on a number of publishing ventures, including the Vsemirnaya Literature (World Literature) series from 1918. After the near-total destruction of the Russian publishing industry in the wake of the revolution, he emigrated in 1921, travelling on the same train as Gorky, and established a publishers in Berlin, initially working under contract to the Soviet government; but Lenin's later prohibition of the import of Russian books from abroad proved fatal, and he lived his last years in poverty, dying in Vanves (outside Paris) in February 1929.

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