MUNRO, H. H. ("Saki," 1870-1916). A correspondence of fifteen autograph letters signed ("Hector", "H", and later "Hector" in Cyrillic) to Reinée King, various places including Westminster, Rustchuk, Hillcrest, Warsaw, St. Petersburg, 10 September 1902 to 2 February 1909.

46 pages, various sizes, but mostly bifolia, 180 x 110mm. (Occasional light toning and edgewear). Most together with their original transmittal envelopes addressed in his hand.

Saki on Russia around the time of the Russian Revolution. An entertaining series of letters by the writer best known as "Saki," who from 1902 was a correspondent for the Morning Post. He first used the pen-name "Saki" in 1900, lampooning political figures of the day. The Morning Post first sent him to the Balkans and then on to Russia where he was witness to the 1905 Revolution. He writes on a variety of subjects, current theater, his own publications as well as snippets of contemporary Russian life. The letters read, in very small part: "Petersburg is quite an interesting dwelling-tent but its climate is more than trying, it is condemning. One does not know from day to day whether ones lungs, throat, windpipe etc. will be in working order … there is a dog-show at the Mikhailovski Manége this afternoon, which threatens to be amusing, and a Russian friend is showing a rather dear pointer, and I am wearing two large yellow carnations that have travelled from Nice for the purpose, and taking a quite charming young friend with me. You cannot say that when I do write I don't give you news." At one point he complains that he will probably have to change a sensuous poem because of "the watering down process generally necessary for publication."