Boris Pasternak
n.p., 10-May-46
Boris Pasternak Signed Presentation 1st Ed. "Earthly Space"
Signed Booklet

A first edition Russian softcover copy of Boris Pasternak (1890-1960), "Zemnoi Prostor, Stikhi" (Moscow: Sovietskiy Pistatel [Soviet Writer], 1945), signed, inscribed, and dated by the author in Russian on the inside of the front cover as, translated: "To the deeply respected Nikolai Sergeyevich Bartenev / for a good memory / B. Pasternak / May 10, 1946." N.p. With the original blue wrappers, the front cover with an embossed name block at center, and a stapled spine. The inner pages show age-related toning and a few isolated chips or wrinkles. The covers show expected wear including scattered stains, areas of sunning, and wrinkles. A small area of surface loss found on the inside of the back cover. Else very good and extremely rare. 48pp. 4.5" x 6.625" x .25".

Boris Pasternak published this poetry collection in 1945, and it represented a distinctive stylistic break with his earlier poetry. The anthology title, "Zemnoi Prostor," has been variously translated into the following titles in English: "Earthly Space"; "Earthly Spaciousness"; "Earthly Openness"; "Earth's Vastness"; "Terrestrial Expanse" and "Expanses of Land." The translated titles vary, but all convey a sense of immensity. Literary critics usually group "Zemnoi Prostor" along with two later works which Pasternak wrote in terms of his style and themes: "On Earthly Trains" ["Na rannikh poezdakh?] (1943) and "When the Weather Clears" ["Kogda razguliaetsia?] (1956-1959).

The relationship between Pasternak and the man to whom he dedicated this volume, Nikolai Sergeyevich Bartenev, is not exactly known. Bartenev may have been related to the famous Russian publishing family. He is recorded as serving in the Russian Army during World War I, as the Commander of a battery on Moonsund, or the Western Estonian archipelago, in the V?inameri Sea off the coast of Estonia.

Boris Pasternak won the 1958 Nobel Prize in Literature for his novel "Doctor Zhivago" (1957), literary recognition from the West that proved extremely dangerous to him in the post-Stalinist Soviet Union. Pasternak was also an accomplished poet and translator.

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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4.5" x 6.625" x .25"