TURGENEV IVAN: (1818-1883)

TURGENEV IVAN: (1818-1883) Russian novelist. A fine, charming A.L.S., I. Tourgueneff, one page, 8vo, Rue de Douai, Paris, 10th December 1871, to Princess Orloff, on Turgenev's monogrammed stationery, in French. Turgenev informs the Princess that he has been in Paris for more than a fortnight, and intends to spend the winter in the city, adding that ' une rechute de goutte (Helas, oui) et une agglomeration de travaux litteraire m'ont empeche de vous ecrire' (Translation: 'a relapse of gout (alas, yes) and an agglomeration of literary work have prevented me from writing to you') and further asking 'quand (je me permets d'omettre le si) je pourrai venir vous voir Rue Bellefontaine-Abbey' (Translation: 'when (I take the liberty of omitting the if) I shall be able to come and see you in Rue Bellefontaine-Abbey'), explaining 'Je serai libre vers la fin de cette semaine - a partir de jeudi, indiquez moi un jour et l'heure du chemin de fer, s'il vous plait - et je viendrai reveiller les souvenirs de "auld lang syne"' (Translation: 'I will be free towards the end of this week - from Thursday, please give me a day and time by train - and I will come to revive the memories of "auld lang syne"') before concluding 'Mille amities au Prince, a Mlle. Marianne et a toute la maison. Toute la famille Viardot se rapelle a votre souvenir' (Translation: ' A thousand regards to the Prince, to Mlle Marianne and to the whole house. All the Viardot family remember you'). In a brief postscript Turgenev asks 'Orloff vient decidement a Paris - n'est ce pas?' (Translation: 'Orloff is definitely coming to Paris - isn't he?'). With blank integral leaf. A couple of very minor, extremely light creases, VG Catherine Troubetskoy (1840-1875) Russian Princess, wife of Prince Nicolas Orloff (1827-1885) Russian diplomat who served as Ambassador of the Russian Empire to France 1871-84. Pauline Viardot (1821-1910) French mezzo-soprano and composer, the great love of Turgenev's life.