Details
Osip Emilyevich Mandelstam (1891-1938)
A quatrain from 'The Swallow'. 1920
Autograph manuscript signed ('O. Mandelstam'), one four-line stanza from the poem ‘Lastochka’ (‘The Swallow’), n.p., 23 November 1920.

In Russian. Four lines in green ink on one leaf, 187 x 121mm, extracted from a notebook.

... A smertmim vlast dana lubit i uznavat,
Dlia nih i zvuk v persti prolietsia!
No ya zabil chto hochu skazat
I misl besplodnaya v chertog teney vernetsia ...

Mortal creatures can love and recognise: sound may
pour out, for them, through their fingers, and overflow:
I don’t remember the word I wished to say,
and a fleshless thought returns to the house of shadow.
(tr. by A.S. Kline)

A verse from one of Mandelstams most famous poems. One of Mandelstam’s most famous and at the same time hauntingly elusive poetic creations, ‘Lastochka’ (‘The Swallow’) is also sometimes known by its first line, ‘I don’t remember the word I wished to say’. This first line is repeated in the fifth of the poem’s six quatrains, quoted in the present manuscript in the year of the poem’s composition. The swallow itself is a recurring trope throughout his verse, perhaps representing regeneration and the restless movement of thought.

Mandelstam is considered one of the most important Russian poets of the 20th century, initially establishing himself in the pre-First World War ‘Acmeist’ school, which privileged direct expression of thoughts and feelings over the elusive and metaphysical style of the Symbolists. Although at first supportive of the Bolshevik regime, he proved unwilling or unable to bend his art to state propaganda purposes, and his increasing opposition to the Stalinist government led to his initial arrest and internal exile in 1933, and finally his second arrest and death in a transit camp in December 1938.

Poetic autographs by Mandelstam are perhaps rarer on the market than those of any 20th-century poet of his stature: only two are recorded at auction by ABPC and RBH in more than 30 years.
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

Related Articles

Sorry, we are unable to display this content. Please check your connection.

More from
Exiles and Idealists: A Private Collection of Russian Literary Manuscripts
Place your bid Condition report

A Christie's specialist may contact you to discuss this lot or to notify you if the condition changes prior to the sale.

I confirm that I have read this Important Notice regarding Condition Reports and agree to its terms. View Condition Report