![BLOK, Alexander (1880-1921). Iamby. [Iambs.] St. Petersburg: Alkonost, 1919. 8° (190 x 120mm). Vignette after Yuri Annenkov. Original wrappers, upper side with illustration after N. Kupreiannov (text block detached, wear at the extremities, small stain on back cover). Provenance: Varvara Alekseeva-Meskhieva (actress, b. 1898; gift inscription).](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2012/CSK/2012_CSK_06237_0409_000(blok_alexander_iamby_iambs_st_petersburg_alkonost_1919_8_vignette_afte082059).jpg?w=1)
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BLOK, Alexander (1880-1921). Iamby. [Iambs.] St. Petersburg: Alkonost, 1919. 8° (190 x 120mm). Vignette after Yuri Annenkov. Original wrappers, upper side with illustration after N. Kupreiannov (text block detached, wear at the extremities, small stain on back cover). Provenance: Varvara Alekseeva-Meskhieva (actress, b. 1898; gift inscription).
FIRST EDITION. The actress Varvara Alekseeva-Meshkieva's copy, presented to her with a line of verse from one of the poems in this collection, 'molchi, skryvaisia i tai i chuvstva i mechty svoi'. Varvara Alexeeva-Meskhieva was a popular paramour among St. Petersburg poets. The giver, keen to keep the relationship discreet, does not sign his name and inscribed the book to a pseudonym alluding to Varvara's Georgian origins -- her birth-name was Meskhishvili. The line of verse, quoting Tiuchev, calls for feelings and dreams to be kept silent and hidden. Kilgour 128; MoMA 227.
FIRST EDITION. The actress Varvara Alekseeva-Meshkieva's copy, presented to her with a line of verse from one of the poems in this collection, 'molchi, skryvaisia i tai i chuvstva i mechty svoi'. Varvara Alexeeva-Meskhieva was a popular paramour among St. Petersburg poets. The giver, keen to keep the relationship discreet, does not sign his name and inscribed the book to a pseudonym alluding to Varvara's Georgian origins -- her birth-name was Meskhishvili. The line of verse, quoting Tiuchev, calls for feelings and dreams to be kept silent and hidden. Kilgour 128; MoMA 227.