Description:

Alexander Solzhenitsyn
[Russia], April 8, 1995
Alexander Solzhenitsyn Signed "Selected Prose" Dated 1 Year After Returning to Russia
SB

A Russian-language copy of Alexander Solzhenitsyn (1918-2008), "Selected Prose" (translated title) (Moscow: 1990), signed, inscribed, and dated on the first free endpaper by Solzhenitsyn as (translated): "To Irina Mikhailovna Kolosova / with wishes of health / & many years of life / 8.4.95." [Russia.] The hardcover book is in dark green publisher's covers as issued, with white titles and gilt geometric designs. Isolated gilt loss to the covers and spine. Gentle toning and edge darkening within. A small separation to the binding at the bottom of the Table of Contents page. A former collector's pencil inscription is found on the back loose endpaper. Else near fine. 3-704pp. 5.5" x 8.125" x 2."

No similar volumes of Alexander Solzhenitsyn's collected works in Russian can be found on either AbeBooks or Biblio, suggesting that this is indeed a rare imprint in Western markets.

This volume of "Selected Prose" includes some of Solzhenitsyn's most famous short stories, including "One Day In The Life Of Ivan Denisovich," "Matryona's Home," "The Right Hand," "For The Good of The Cause," "Zakhar-the-Pouch," "Easter Procession," "What A Pity," and "Incident at Kochetovka Station." The volume concludes with Solzhenitsyn's semi-autobiographical novel "Cancer Ward," originally published in 1966. The novel takes place at a hospital ward in mid-1950s Uzbekistan, with the patients' diverse attitudes towards Stalinism representing a cross-section of larger Soviet society.

This volume also has the added cachet of dating from just after Solzhenitsyn's return to Russia after nearly 20 years of exile spent in West Germany, Switzerland, and the United States. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Solzhenitsyn felt comfortable enough to return to his homeland in late May 1994. Initially, he was feted by Russian society, and was even given a program on Russian Public Television named "Meetings With Alexander Solzhenitsyn." The bi-monthly program, which only lasted 15 minutes and included Solzhenitsyn's views on various matters, was unceremoniously canceled in September 1995, less than six months after he dedicated this copy of his works.

Solzhenitsyn was very familiar with the Soviet-era justice system. He was imprisoned in a Soviet work camp between 1945-1953, an experience that inspired his most well-known work, 1973's the "Gulag Archipelago." This work, along with others criticizing historical Soviet leadership and practices, had led to Solzhenitsyn's deportation in 1974.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 5.5" x 8.125" x 2"
  • Medium: SB

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