Lot 27
Lot 27
Mikhail Afanasyevich Bulgakov (1891-1940)

A signed photograph. 1927

Price Realised GBP 32,500
Estimate
GBP 15,000 - GBP 20,000
Loading details
Mikhail Afanasyevich Bulgakov (1891-1940)

A signed photograph. 1927

Price Realised GBP 32,500
Price Realised GBP 32,500
  • Details
  • Related Articles
  • More from
Details
Mikhail Afanasyevich Bulgakov (1891-1940)
A signed photograph. 1927
Portrait photograph signed ('M. Bulgakov') and inscribed to Vladimir Petrovich Nemeshaev, Moscow, 1 November 1927.

In Russian. Inscribed in red ink on the image. Image 148 x 102mm. Bifolium mount 263 x 176mm.

Bulgakov in 1927: an exceptionally rare autograph. Nemeshaev was the director of the copyright department at the Moscow Society of Dramatic Writers and Composers. The mid-1920s were years of feverish literary activity for Bulgakov, including his first major work, the novel Belaya gvardiya (The White Guard, 1925), the novellas The Fatal Eggs (1924) and Heart of a Dog (1925), as well as a series of plays, the majority of which were banned from performance; in 1928 he was to begin work on his masterpiece, The Master and Margarita. The present photograph shows the noticeably dandefied appearance characteristic of his portraits at this period, a time when he could often be seen sporting a monocle, a bow-tie and even a bowler hat. Bulgakov's autograph is exceptionally rare on the market: no examples are recorded on ABPC or RBH.
Special notice
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.
Brought to you by
Thomas VenningHead of Department, Books and Manuscripts
A Christie's specialist may contact you to discuss this lot or to notify you if the condition changes prior to the sale.
More from
Exiles and Idealists: A Private Collection of Russian Literary Manuscripts