Lot 119A email save

K. R. [Konstantin Romanov, Grand Duke of Russia]

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St. Petersburg: [privately printed by the author], 1886. 238 pp. 8vo (175 x 125 mm). Title in red and black. Original burgundy morocco, spine gilt stamped, back cover blind stamped, front cover with initials, crown and floral motif border stamped in gilt; silk endpapers, a.e.g. Condition: rear hinge starting, covers slightly rubbed at extremities, final poem with a few marks in blue pen. one of no more than 150 copies presented to family and friends. first collection of poetry by the grandson of tsar nicholas i and uncle of tsar nicholas ii. Even as a child, the Grand Duke was more interested in literature, music and art than in military affairs as was expected of the Romanov men. He did serve in the Imperial Russian Navy and the Izmailovskii Regiment of the Imperial Guard before marrying his second cousin in 1884. Although they had nine children, the publication of his secret diaries long after his death revealed how torn he was between his love for his wife and his attraction to young men. He was a devoted patron of the arts who included Tchaikovsky among his intimates. Both a gifted pianist and artist in his own right, he considered himself primarily a poet and a playwright He was one of the few Romanovs who were close to his nephew Tsar Nicholas II and his wife Alexandra.

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