Super Rare Anton Chekhov ALS: "my petition was just a cry in the desert… I am not a fighter

Anton Chekhov
n.p. [Melikhovo, Russian Empire?], February 11, [n.y.]
Super Rare Anton Chekhov ALS: "my petition was just a cry in the desert… I am not a fighter, it's not in my nature"
ALS

A 3pp autograph letter in Russian signed by celebrated Russian playwright Anton Chekhov (1860-1904), as "A. Chekhov" in Cyrillic on the top of the third page. February 11, [n.y.] N.p. but possibly Melikhovo, a village located 80 km south of Moscow where Chekhov resided from 1892-1899. Inscribed on both sides of blue-lined bifold paper; the outer leaf is blank. Expected wear including flattened transmittal folds and a few extra wrinkles. Isolated minor closed tears found along some folds, including one repaired with tape. Minor grubbiness and handling marks along the edges. A small surface abrasion on the outer leaf suggests the letter once may have been mounted. Else very good to near fine. 5.375" x 8.5".

Chekhov wrote this letter to a close friend named Nikolai Nikolaevich. Although not positively identified, several context clues suggest that Chekhov's correspondent was involved with local government ["Zemsky assembly"] and played an active role in community schools ["college board meeting."] In the letter, Chekhov relates that he can no longer fulfill supervisory duties at the Chirkovsky and Melikhovsky Colleges. More research is needed to fully flesh out what these institutions were, but we strongly suspect that at least one of these may have been schools in or around Melikhovo.

Though the letter is undated, we can assume at this time that Chekhov was already suffering from tuberculosis, the symptoms of which he had suffered since the early 1880s, and the debilitating disease which would eventually kill him at age 44 in 1904. Despite his chronic ill-health, Chekhov threw himself into a multitude of ambitious civic projects. As a licensed physician, Chekhov treated area patients free of charge; as a sanitary inspector, he ensured medical care for the residents of more than 25 nearby villages, several factories, and the Davidova Pustyn Monastery. In addition to being a highly competent public health administrator, Chekhov was also instrumental in promoting other liberal reforms: the establishment of free public schools; infrastructure (roads, post office, telegraph line, etc.); emergency charitable assistance; even library books! Small wonder then, that the over-committed Chekhov felt too exhausted to continue in his current leadership role at the colleges. He was, of course, at the same time also writing the short stories and plays that would make him famous, notably "The Seagull" (1895) and "Uncle Vanya" (1896).

In part:

"How to spend 100 rubles, donated by Mrs. Sverebtieva? I'll write to you about it at the end of March or in April, when I have better orientated myself. I think 100 rubles is enough for two. If you're going to be here for Easter, we'll talk about it and decide what and how…

At the beginning of last year, I filed a petition with the Serpukhov Administration Office, presenting the resignation of my supervisory duties at Chirkovsky College. Without a doubt, my petition was just a cry in the desert; my application was thrown under the desk and probably forgotten; in any case, I didn't receive an answer. Also, I have permanent, petty annoyances in the [Melikhovsky] College; the muzhiks [Russian peasants] breaking windows; Miss Anisova and her personality; piteous letters from her assistant; complete abandonment from the authorities; the reports about national education - I am tired of all this and it wrecked my nerves. Today I've made a petition, stating that due to my poor health and the distance I cannot continue… I cannot do it anymore! As much as possible, please, use all your influence so that my petition will be granted. Please support me at the college board meeting. I am not a fighter, it's not in my nature; these letters that I used to get all the time were oppressing me like a nightmare…"

Chekhov's intimate familiarity with the Russian civil service no doubt informed many of the fatalistic comments made in this letter; he had clearly become burnt out. His firsthand experience dealing with the bureaucracy, policy failures, and energy-sapping personalities rife in Russia's turn-of-the-century public administration inspired some of the themes which reappear again and again in Chekhov's literary work.

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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5.375" x 8.5"