![PUSHKIN, Alexander (1799-1837). Graf Nulin [Count Nulin]. St. Petersburg, Department of Public Education, 1827](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2019/CKS/2019_CKS_18441_0088_000(pushkin_alexander_graf_nulin_count_nulin_st_petersburg_department_of_p074414).jpg?w=1)
Details
PUSHKIN, Alexander (1799-1837). Graf Nulin [Count Nulin]. St. Petersburg, Department of Public Education, 1827
First edition in book form of this humorous verse narrative, which had only just appeared in the journal Northern Flowers. Very rare (no auction records on ABPC/RBH), particularly desirable in the original wrappers; this fragile copy with a remarkable history of ownership. The poem was written during the days of the December uprising in 1825, and on publication the reaction of its readership was mixed. ‘I conceived the idea of parodying history and Shakespeare, could not resist the double temptation and in two mornings finished writing this tale’, recalls Pushkin. On reading Shakespeare’s Rape of Lucrece, he had reflected that without that act of abuse (‘if Lucretia had had the thought of slapping Tarquin’s face’) a whole sequence of momentous historical events would simply not have been set into motion – the world and history would not have been the same. The motor of the history of the Roman Republic was an episode of forced seduction, not dissimilar, he thought, from one recently occurred in his neighbourhood. Kilgour 879; Smirnov-Sokol’skii, Pushkin, 17 (erroneous pagination).
12mo (168 x 111mm). Uncut (several pages loose or torn, some light spotting throughout). Original printed wrappers (torn, upper part of lower wrapper perished, chipped, with stamp ‘Printed in Russia’ on front wrapper); modern custom-made cloth box. Provenance: Prince Aleksandr Ivanovich Urusov, given to A. F. Onegin, then to N. O. Lerner (inscription on first leaf ‘To N. O. Lerner from Onegin. The copy of Aleksandr Ivanovich Urusov’ and acquisition note of Lerner dated 23 March 1905; inserted note stating that this copy is mentioned by Prince Urusov in one of his letters, where he invites Onegin to choose some of the Pushkin books from his library in gratitude for hospitality. Urusov’s list of books does include this copy, noting that it was already in poor condition in 1897) – R.D. Rudnev (his library stamp).
First edition in book form of this humorous verse narrative, which had only just appeared in the journal Northern Flowers. Very rare (no auction records on ABPC/RBH), particularly desirable in the original wrappers; this fragile copy with a remarkable history of ownership. The poem was written during the days of the December uprising in 1825, and on publication the reaction of its readership was mixed. ‘I conceived the idea of parodying history and Shakespeare, could not resist the double temptation and in two mornings finished writing this tale’, recalls Pushkin. On reading Shakespeare’s Rape of Lucrece, he had reflected that without that act of abuse (‘if Lucretia had had the thought of slapping Tarquin’s face’) a whole sequence of momentous historical events would simply not have been set into motion – the world and history would not have been the same. The motor of the history of the Roman Republic was an episode of forced seduction, not dissimilar, he thought, from one recently occurred in his neighbourhood. Kilgour 879; Smirnov-Sokol’skii, Pushkin, 17 (erroneous pagination).
12mo (168 x 111mm). Uncut (several pages loose or torn, some light spotting throughout). Original printed wrappers (torn, upper part of lower wrapper perished, chipped, with stamp ‘Printed in Russia’ on front wrapper); modern custom-made cloth box. Provenance: Prince Aleksandr Ivanovich Urusov, given to A. F. Onegin, then to N. O. Lerner (inscription on first leaf ‘To N. O. Lerner from Onegin. The copy of Aleksandr Ivanovich Urusov’ and acquisition note of Lerner dated 23 March 1905; inserted note stating that this copy is mentioned by Prince Urusov in one of his letters, where he invites Onegin to choose some of the Pushkin books from his library in gratitude for hospitality. Urusov’s list of books does include this copy, noting that it was already in poor condition in 1897) – R.D. Rudnev (his library stamp).
Special notice
No VAT on hammer price or buyer's premium.
Brought to you by
Emily Pilling