95 - Jurgis Kasimirovich BALTRUCHAITIS (1873–1944)

Jurgis Kasimirovich BALTRUCHAITIS (1873–1944) A collection of about ten autograph letters, signed letters, signed postcards, poems, and fragments, in Russian, addressed to or dedicated to Konstantin Dmitrievich BALMONT, alias Don (1867–1942). Some are dated October 1, 1901; February 1, 1903; January 1907; and August 14, 1930. Includes, among other items, “To Balmont, The Power of the Small—Мощь малости” -Oct. 1901 “Dearest Don, alas, are you angry? You haven’t written. (...)” “Dear Don—alas—are you not angry?!—you haven’t written. Oh, what sorrow for me, who longed for you And for your resonant dreams—which are your very life and breath— Wandering far and wide, without a care for this world. (...)" -Feb. 1903 "My dear friend! I am slow to respond To your call… The fault lies with the hustle and bustle of life. But you will forgive me… Besides, I repent…" -Jan. 14, 1907 "Greetings, Balmont! * * * May a sense of newness descend Upon your path by day—your path by night! For the New Year, an unknown light Comes in the dark of night— Greetings to all that has never been! (...)" -Two quatrains dated April 20, 1907: "Dear Don, Prayerfully, with all the strength of my will, Toward all that is in the world, like one who mourns, deaf, I bow, with a sigh of eternal pain, Before the mystery known to your spirit... In it lies all the universe’s longing, all the complexity Of voiceless things, the whirlwind of centuries and days, Fulfillment and—a phantom—impossibility, Which has raised its dark sword above it...” —A C.A.S. dated August 20, 1907, written entirely in verse "May your course be lively and swift; Lightness in the wind is no offense (...) If life teaches you to be loved, not to love; If the heart itself says: The world burns for you, Let it burn—from that your world will be born! (...) Your Jurgis” “Once again the whirlwind has swept you away, Once again, you wretch, you have fallen silent! You are like some light spirit, As light as a feather, as light as down… Let your run be sudden, swift— Lightness is no reproach to the wind, No, just as for people the height of glory— Boasting and praise! If life teaches you To be loved without loving; If your heart says: The whole world burns for you, Let it blaze, and from it Shall come your world! (...)" -Poem “To Balmont” dated August 22, 1907 “Why, little brother, along the red bank, Did you not walk with caution and in small steps— Or is it not befitting a fine young man To fear the rips and piles (?)!” ENCLOSED are envelopes addressed to Jurgis Kasimirovich Baltruchaïtis (1903–1988), and a typewritten, signed poem in homage to Lithuania. MC Provenance -Jurgis Kasimirovich Baltruchaïtis (1873–1944), Lithuanian diplomat and poet. -Their son, Jurgis Jurgissovich Baltruchaïtis (1903–1988), historian. -His wife, Hélène Baltruchaïtis (1908–2004), née Castel-Focillon, daughter of Henri Focillon (1881–1943). -Then by descent.