![CHEKHOV, Anton Pavlovich (1860-1904; writing as 'Antosha Chekhonte'). Skazki Mel'pomeny. Shest' razskazov. [The Tales of Melpomene. Six Short Stories]. Moscow: A. Levenson, 1884.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2019/CKS/2019_CKS_18441_0008_000(chekhov_anton_pavlovich_skazki_melpomeny_shest_razskazov_the_tales_of073306).jpg?w=1)
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CHEKHOV, Anton Pavlovich (1860-1904; writing as 'Antosha Chekhonte'). Skazki Mel'pomeny. Shest' razskazov. [The Tales of Melpomene. Six Short Stories]. Moscow: A. Levenson, 1884.
Presentation copy of the rare first edition of Chekhov's first published book, a bibliographical rarity recorded only three times at auction by RBH (the Kiseleva, Falktoft and Eden Martin copies). This copy with a remarkable provenance. Theatre, on-stage and back-stage, is the common thread of these six short stories, which the author, in spite of his professed disregard for the standing and skills of contemporary thespians, dedicated to the Muse of Tragedy. The book appeared under the pseudonym of Antosha Chekhonte, by the author’s admission ‘on credit, with payment in the course of 4 months’. Chekhov's first appearance in print, while he was in medical school, was in the St. Petersburg periodical Strekoza [Dragonfly] in March 1880. Kilgour 225; Smirnov-Sokol'skii 1225 ('survives in only very few examples').
Octavo (185 x 113mm). (Light scattered spotting.) Near-contemporary Russian half sheep, marbled boards. Provenance: poet and children’s book writer Ivan Alekseevich Belousov (1870-1953; author’s dedication inscription on the title, stamped shelfmark on the front pastedown and stamp on the front endleaf) - M.I. Chuvanov, illustrious collector of Russian books with autographs (bookplate at front and small stamp on last leaf).
Presentation copy of the rare first edition of Chekhov's first published book, a bibliographical rarity recorded only three times at auction by RBH (the Kiseleva, Falktoft and Eden Martin copies). This copy with a remarkable provenance. Theatre, on-stage and back-stage, is the common thread of these six short stories, which the author, in spite of his professed disregard for the standing and skills of contemporary thespians, dedicated to the Muse of Tragedy. The book appeared under the pseudonym of Antosha Chekhonte, by the author’s admission ‘on credit, with payment in the course of 4 months’. Chekhov's first appearance in print, while he was in medical school, was in the St. Petersburg periodical Strekoza [Dragonfly] in March 1880. Kilgour 225; Smirnov-Sokol'skii 1225 ('survives in only very few examples').
Octavo (185 x 113mm). (Light scattered spotting.) Near-contemporary Russian half sheep, marbled boards. Provenance: poet and children’s book writer Ivan Alekseevich Belousov (1870-1953; author’s dedication inscription on the title, stamped shelfmark on the front pastedown and stamp on the front endleaf) - M.I. Chuvanov, illustrious collector of Russian books with autographs (bookplate at front and small stamp on last leaf).
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