PASTERNAK, Boris (1890-1960). Russian, poet, novelist and translator.
Fine Autograph Letter Signed in English to Miss Gunnel Hedsorg in Gothenburg, 1 page 4to in purple ink with envelope bearing seven Russian postage stamps, 2 September 1959. A particularly attractive letter with a large bold signature ('B Pasternak') and a most elaborate envelope. Because Pasternak came to international fame very late in his life his letters are quite rare on the market.

'I am not aware, whether I have answered your April letter or not. My inconveniences in the spring were greater than they are now and a great lot of letters arrived at that period has remained unreplied [sic]. ...'

Pasternak continues, remarkably, to send his autograph 'along with my warmest wishes to you of the liveliest joy in your young enviable existence and of best successes and acquisitions in your studies.'
 Written at the very end of his life (Pasternak died of lung cancer on 30 May 1960) and in the difficult time following the publication in Italy of Doctor Zhivago and of his acceptance and subsequent rejection of the nobel prize for literature.
[No: 25196]