Beschreibung:

CHEKHOV, Anton (1860-1904). V sumerkakh: Ocherki i rasskazy . [At Dusk: Essays and short stories]. St Petersburg: A. Suvorin, 1887. First edition, presentation copy and as such of the utmost rarity, of the young Chekhov’s first collection of short stories, a genre which he revolutionized. It was published under the pseudonym Krasnorogsky (the name of his estate) by Aleksei Suvorin, whose steadfast support and aesthetic consonance, witnessed in an extraordinarily rich correspondence, the author enjoyed for many years. It was partly due to Suvorin’s enthusiasm and commitment that this work was awarded the Pushkin Prize. Chekhov himself did not rate this work very highly, and did not include it in his collected works. This copy was presented by the author to the actor Petr Fedorovich Solonin, 1857-1894; presentation copies from Chekhov are not numerous, and this, presented to one of the actors who took part in Chekhov’s first theatre production, captures the author’s commitment to theatre as one of the foremost playwrights of his time, and is particularly appealing. Kilgour 228; Smirnov-Sokol'skii 1227. Octavo (172 x 110mm). With 4-ff. advertisements bound at end (occasional spotting or light marginal staining). Contemporary half sheep, cloth boards, spine lettered in gilt (rubbed); preserved in a modern half morocco case. Provenance: Petr Fedorovich Solonin (author’s presentation inscription on the half title 'To Petr Fedorovich Solonin from the author. A. Chekhov. 87 30/XI’).