Alexander Solzhenitsyn (1918-2008), the Nobel laureate whose "One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich" and "The Gulag Archipelago" exposed the Soviet forced labor system to the world, signed this typed letter in Russian on April 3, 1987, addressed to a "Dear Mikhail" whose patronymic he apologizes for not knowing. The TLS reads in full: "Dear Mikhail........! (forgive me, I don't know your patronymic) Thank you for the books sent — now and before. I am glad that you so brilliantly (also in 'Grani') continue to illuminate the Gulag in recent times — may that memory never fade! I don't miss your articles in '22' either, and agree with much (less so with the article about Voslensky). I wish you every success. All the best. / A. Solzhenitsyn."
The original registered airmail envelope is addressed in Solzhenitsyn's hand from "A. Solzhenitsyn, Russia, Moscow, ul. Tverskaya 12, kv. 169" to "Heifetz Michael, zh Lipsky 41/31, Jerusalem, Israel." The references are significant: "Grani" was a prominent Russian-language emigre literary journal based in Frankfurt; "22" was an Israeli Russian-language journal; Mikhail Voslensky was the author of "Nomenklatura," a landmark study of the Soviet ruling class. The letter places Solzhenitsyn in active dialogue with the Russian-language diaspora literary world during his Vermont exile years.
TLS, one page, black ink signature "A. Solzhenitsyn," approximately 8.5 x 6 inches, dated 3.4.87, in Russian (IMG_268.jpg); accompanied by original registered airmail envelope addressed in Solzhenitsyn's hand from Moscow to Jerusalem, with Russian stamps and registration labels, front and reverse (IMG_269.jpg, IMG_270.jpg). Letter clean and fine; envelope with handling wear consistent with international mail; overall very good condition. Estimate: $3,000-$5,000.
This item will be accompanied by a Letter of Authenticity from One of a Kind Collectibles.