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Title: Three Letters Written by Revolutionary Sergei Mikhailovich Stepniak - Kravchinskii to His Publisher Sonnenschein
Description: London, 1890. Softcover. Three letters, written between 1890 and 1893, by revolutionary Sergei Stepniak to his publisher Swan Sonnenschein in England; all three written in ink on single pages folded vertically in half, measuring approximately 7 x 9 when unfolded; some darkening and spotting to upper margins, else practically in near fine condition. Sergei Kravchinskii (nicknamed Stepniak or "the man of the steppe") was the Russian revolutionary who stabbed to death General Mesentsiev - the chief of the Russian Secret Police in 1878. An artillery officer in the Czar's army, Stepniak fought in the rising against the Turks in Bosnia in 1876. When he returned to Russia he was accused of riling up the peasantry with teachings of Democracy, harassed, arrested, and subsequently put under heavy surveillance. After his assassination of the police chief, Stepniak escaped to London where he quickly gained fame and recognition among various revolutionary circles as well as literary groups. In his first and most interesting of the letters Stepniak discusses with Sonnenschein the translation and possible publication of one of his best known works "The Russian Peasantry" in German as well as the financial arrangements it would involve. He writes that his good friend Victor Adler - leader of the Labor Movement and founder of the Social Democratic Workers' Party in Austria is in prison and while there he has expressed his desire to translate Stepniak's book into German (Adler would eventually translate it and a German edition would be published). Interestingly enough, Stepniak writes that as time has passed since the release of the first edition - he is doubtful a new translation would command much interest but he is curious enough to be willing to see the project to its end. The second letter is a polite refusal to what appears to be a request for a manuscript from Sonnenschein to which Stepniak answers: "I thank you very much for your offer, but it is impossible for me to write upon any questions upon Jews or anything else.." citing imminent trip to the US for series of lecture. The third letter is a more generic acceptance and change of date for a visit to Sonnenschein. Ill.: 0. 2.

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Price: US$ 1000.00 Seller: ZH Books
- Book number: 000939

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