Ivan Sergeyevich Turgenev (1818-1883)
On publishing Alphonse Daudet in Russia. 1880
Autograph letter signed ('Ivan Tourguéneff') to an unidentified recipient ('Monsieur'), 50 rue de Douai, Paris, 1 December 1880.

In French. One page, 209 x 136mm, on paper with Turgenev's printed address and monogram. Provenance: Koller, Zurich, 24 May 2008, lot 117.

On publishing Alphonse Daudet in Russia. 'I cannot take on the proposition you make me, particularly because the novel by A. Daudet appears in a weekly journal, and there is only one weekly journal in Russia which could offer any sum for the publication of this novel, which would need to be translated from the manuscript, the right of translation being absolutely free in Russia. – / There is in Petersburg a weekly illustrated journal, with a very large circulation (25,000 subscribers) – of the name "Ogonëk" (little flame). – if you were to write to them, I think they could make you an acceptable proposition – Alph[onse] Daudet being very popular at home'. He goes on to provide the address.

The novel referred to is Daudet's Numa Roumestan (1880), a critical depiction of Daudet's native Provence.

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