100 - Jurgis Kasimirovich BALTRUCHAITIS (1873–1944)

Jurgis Kasimirovich BALTRUCHAITIS (1873–1944) Letter addressed to Valeriy Iakovlevich Briussov (1873–1924), dated August 3, 1906, in Russian; on the back of the letter is written the poem “Childhood Fears - Детские страхи." "I forgot, when we met, to tell you that I would very much like to write a few lines in your defense (...) for I am, in fact, capable only of a reclusive and solitary life. I do not want to see people; I have lost the habit of speaking.” “Dear Valery, I forgot, when we met, to tell you that I would be happy to write quite a few lines in your defense against your admirers. If you do not intend to do this yourself, please be so kind as to gather the relevant issues of the journals. They are probably already * either with you or at Vesy. I want to compile * * *. I’ll be at your place at 12:02 p.m. Don’t be put off by private audiences; there are * so many people to speak with, and I, for one, can only lead a very secluded and very solitary life. In public, however, I don’t want to speak—I’ve lost the habit. Yours more and more, Y. Baltrušaitis" ENCLOSED -An unfinished letter dated 11/13/1903. -Manuscript of the poem “The Black Lake—Черное озеро” dedicated to V. Briussov; the manuscript specifies that it is from the collection “Earthly Ladder,” but it was ultimately published in the collection “Misty Distances - Дымные дали.” 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 through descendants.