Nikolay Mikhailovich Karamzin (1766-1826)
An enquiry about his History of the State of Russia. 1825
Autograph letter signed ('N. Karamzin') to the Abbé [Giannantonio] Moschini, St Petersburg, 30 January 1825.

In French. Two pages, 254 x 203mm, integral address leaf (to Moschini in Venice).

Answering an enquiry about his History of the State of Russia. Karamzin thanks Moschini for his letter and for the 'judicious remarks and interesting notices' it contained. He goes on: 'As regards the Great Wall of China and Aristotle the architect, I merely quoted Deguines and our annalist, who speaks, according to the Russian original, not of a gate of the city of Venice, but merely of a gate or rather a portico, built by this architect'. Karamzin reports that the tenth and eleventh volumes (of his History of the Russian State) are being translated in Paris, but will not be published immediately, and concludes with regrets that his poor health do not permit him to write at greater length.

After early experiments in diverse literary forms, including imitations of Laurence Sterne and a Gothic novel, Karamzin began to write his monumental and foundational History of the Russian State in 1802, a work which he continued for the rest of his life, under the patronage of Alexander I. The eleventh volume was the last to be published and Karamzin died a little more than a year after this letter, leaving the twelfth and last volume half-finished. The recipient, Giannantonio Moschini (1773-1840) was a historian of the art and architecture of Venice.

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.