Bibliographical RARITY 1st Book of A. PUSHKIN\' VERSES trans. in USA 1849 1st ed


Bibliographical RARITY 1st Book of A. PUSHKIN\' VERSES trans. in USA 1849 1st ed

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Bibliographical RARITY 1st Book of A. PUSHKIN\' VERSES trans. in USA 1849 1st ed:
$8499.00


Rarity.

Historically Important Publication.

First Editionof the First Book

of

A.S. Pushkin\'s verses

translated in USA.

AMust for

Major Libraries and Private Collections.

The Bakchesarian fountain

BYALEXANDER POOSHKEEN

and other poems, by various authors,

TRANSLATED FROM THE

ORIGINAL RUSSIAN,

BY WILLIAM D. LEWIS.

Philadelphia: C. Sherman, 1849

In June of 1849, just\"afew copies of this book for circulation among friends\" were printed at the expense of W.D. Lewis in Philadelphia. Good portion of that minusculeissue was sentwith the Russian Counsellor Alexander Cazalet to translator\'s friends in Russia. His small volume of poems was favorably acceptedin Russia and enthusiasticallypraised byNicholas Grech in\"The Northern Bee\" (Северная пчела) on July 18, 1851, who befriended William D.Lewis, as did many othersinSt. Petersburg, especially in the literarycircleof a poetG.Derzhavin.

According to the late scholar Avrahm Yarmolinsky, \"the book became abibliographical rarity immediately after its printing\".

We\'re aware of only four copies of this book in collections of major libraries.

W.D. Lewis (1792-1881)

A prominent Philadelphia banker, merchant, entrepreneur,collector of customs, railroad investor and executive, politician, President of Academy of Arts, poet, translator of Russian poetry, duelist... As aprivate secretary to Henry Clay on an important US peace mission aimed to end British-American War of 1812,W.D. Lewiscame to Russia in 1814, where hestayed for10 years, occasionally helping his elder brother with his successful business in St. Petersburg. W.D. Lewisquickly acquired fluency inRussian language, which he admired immenselyfor its poetic nature and, alreadyin 1815,successfully translated into Russiana popular American patriotic song \"Yankee Doodle\", and into English, verses of Russian poets, showing a profound understanding of language and distinctive features of Russian poetry.
After incident with US Consul John Leavitt Harris, whom Lewis verbally and physically insulted in public by literally \"pulling his nose\" (W.D. Lewis even wrote a poem about it -\"The Nose: St. Petersburg\'s poem. December 25, 1817\"), he was sued by the victim for libel. The process took 7 years to litigate and involved eminent officials in Russia and the USA, including Count Nesselrode, John Quincy Adams and James Monroe, andforced William D. Lewis to return home in 1825 to face charges. He lost the case and was fined $100, butlater shot and woundedLeavitt Harris on a duel in New Jersey.
His anonymous translationsof Russian poetry appeared from time to time in different periodicals before theissue of this book that dedicated to his beloved Russian friends.
William D.Lewisretiredat his New Jersey estate in late 1850\' and lived there until his death.
± 6\" x ± 3 3/4\". 72 pp. Condition is very good. Original front and back covers preserved and, time ago, professionally reinforced. Some visible shadows of probably removed spine tape on original covers(see scans).Very limited andvery light marginal yellowing spots. Text is clear and pages are white and bright with no marks of any sort.

All reasonable offers will be considered.


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Bibliographical RARITY 1st Book of A. PUSHKIN\' VERSES trans. in USA 1849 1st ed:
$8499.00

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