Vladimir Nabokov
Russian-American novelist, 1899-1977
"Nabokov is most famous for his novel ""Lolita"", published in 1955. It exhibits the love of intricate word play and synesthetic detail that characterizes most of his works. The novel was ranked fourth in the list of the Modern Library 100 Best Novels; ""Pale Fire"" (1962) was ranked 53rd on the same list, and his memoir, ""Speak, Memory"" (1951), was listed eighth on the publisher’s list of the 20th century’s greatest nonfiction. He was a finalist for the National Book Award for Fiction seven times, but he never won it."
Source: Wikipedia
Schriftsteller (1899-1977). Document signed. O. O. 2 SS. auf 2 Bll. Gr.-4to.
$ 3,174 / 3.000 €
(24835)
An agreement between Nabokov’s company, McGraw Hill International, Inc., and Columbia Pictures regarding an Option Agreement: „Reference is made to an Option Agreement between you and the undersigned dated as of April 5, 1969 (hereinafter the ‚Option Agreement’) with respect to the motion picture and allied rights in and to that certain literary work entitled ‚Ada or Ardor’ (hereinafter the ‚Work’). Pursuant to the terms of said Option Agreement, the option contained therein was exercisable by the undersigned not later than August 5, 1969.
You and we hereby agree to amend said Option Agreement as follows [...]“. – Two weeks after his seventieth birthday, Nabokov published „Ada or Ardor“, the book that the New York Times Book Review praised as „a great work of art, a necessary book, radiant and rapturous, affirming the power of love and imagination“ and said that it „provides further evidence that he is a peer of Kafka, Proust and Joyce“. This romantic novel started off as two separate projects, but when Nabokov saw a connection between the two ideas, he combined them and made what would be his longest and most allusory novel. The greatest tragedy of this masterpiece is that after securing the rights, Columbia decided against exercising its option to bring the film to life. – With scattered light creasing, uniform toning, a staple mark and a whole staple to the top left corner, a staple mark at the top edges, with the mark on the second page slightly torn, and two binder holes along the top of each page, none of which affect the crisp signature..
writer (1899-1977). Autograph postcard signed ("V. Nabokoff"). [Berlin. Oblong 8vo. 1 page. With autogr. address and return address.
$ 12,697 / 12.000 €
(72794/BN46849)
To the Belgian writer Robert Mélot (ps. Mélot du Dy, 1891-1956), thanking for sending Mélot's book "Signes de vie" (Paris, Denoël et Steele, 1936) in which he added an autograph note to Nabokov. Nabokov lists his favourite poems of the book and announces a journey to Belgium in autumn: "Cher monsieur et ami, je vous remercie beaucoup pour vos 'Signes de Vie' (un titre plein d'esprit poétique!) et les gentils mots, que vous y avez mis. Vous avez bien raison de dire 'en goûter la rondeur plûtot que le travers' - car je crois que sans ce gout de la vie que vous avez (gout de 'pommes vertes') il serait impossible de faire de beaux vers.
J'ai spécialement aimé 'la vielle son miroir', puis le magnifique 'je pense aux tiroirs des poètes' et le 'jeune homme preux'. Merci encore une fois pour ce charmant cadeau. J'ai bien l'intention de venir en Belgique cet automne - et ce sera un grand plaisir que de vous revoir [...]". - In "Nestorstr. 22", as Nabokov writes in the return address, he and his family were living from 1932 to 1937. - Early Nabokov letters such as the present example are exceedingly rare..
Russian-American writer (1899-1977). Autograph letter signed ("V. Nabokov"). Harvard College (Cambridge, Massachusetts). 8vo. 1 p.
$ 7,936 / 7.500 €
(88866/BN58809)
To the American entomologist George Franclemont concerning the comparison and identification of butterfly specimens: "Dear Dr Franclemont, your "Shawville, Pa[pillio]" lab[eled] 'Keutzingaria' is quite similar to specimens we have, also placed (incorrectly, I think) under that name, from Illinois, Maine and Nova Scotia, your 'Pittsburg, Pa.' lab. 'purpuraria' is extremely close (perhaps a trifle paler limbally) to our 'Packard type' specimen of Keutzingaria, from Maryland, your 'Pittsburg, Pa.' lab.
'nigrescaria' can be easily matched by specimens from Ill. and Maine in our series under that name. I am not returning the specimens until I hear from you - perhaps there are some other comparisons you might want me to make". - During his years as lecturer of comparative literature and Russian at Wellesley College, Massachusetts, from 1941 to 1948, Nabokov also pursued his scientific passion for butterflies, working as the de facto curator of lepidoptery at Harvard's Museum of Comparative Zoology. As a lepidopterist, Nabokov specialized in the Polyommatini tribe of the Lycaenidae family, on which he became an internationally recognized expert. The letter bears beautiful testimony to Nabokov's scientific work at the Harvard Museum. - John George Franclemont (1912-94) served in the Pacific theatre of WWII as an expert in the eradication of mosquitoes. He used his military deployment for entomological research and pursued a scientific career after the war. From 1947 to 1952, Franclemont worked in the Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine in Washington, moving on to become a professor of entomology at Cornell (1953-77), where Vladimir Nabokov was his colleague. Franclemont donated his entomological collection of more than 35,000 specimens to Cornell University. - On stationery with printed letterhead of the Museum of Comparative Zoology. Traces of folds. With a minor rust stain and two holes from a staple..