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Author: Chekhov, Anton Pavlovich [as 'Antosha Chekhonte']
Title: Skazki Mel'pomeny. Shest' razskazov [The Tales of Melpomene. Six Short Stories]
Place Published: Moscow
Publisher:A. Levenson
Date Published: 1884
Description: 96 pp. Text in Russian. (8vo) 17.5x11 cm (7x4½“), bound in contemporary quarter brown morocco and marbled boards, ownership initials in gilt on front cover leather; marbled endpapers. Original wrappers not present. First Edition.Rare first edition of Chekhov‘s first published book, appearing under the pseudonym of Antosha Chekhonte. With the bookplate of Dmitry Modestovich Ostafieva on the front pastedown and his initials in gilt on the binding. Ostafieva was a renowned bibliophile with a stunning library in numerous subjects, particularly known for containing the largest collection of books on Freemasonry in Russia. ‘Tales of Melpomene‘ consists of six humorous short stories published when Chekhov was 24, the year of his graduation. Garnering little notice at the time of publication and its contents standing in stark contrast to the themes of his later work, Chekhov said of it ‘even such rubbish as ‘Fairy Tales of Melpomene‘ has caught on.‘ An exceptionally rare volume.with only three previous auction records located. [Kilgour 225]

Mild rubbing to extremities; scattered foxing throughout, p. 19-20 with a closed tear that has been repaired; very good.