127 - Boris Nikolaevich BUGAIEV, also known as Andrei BELIY (1880–1934)

Boris Nikolaevich BUGAIEV, also known as Andrei BELIY (1880–1934) Set of 6 original letters and one signed autograph note, in Russian: -1 letter addressed to Akim Lievovich Volinsky (1861–1926), also known as Khayim Lebovich Flexer, dated December 10, 1921, for a literary and artistic journal to be published in September 1922, in which he asks if Volinsky would be so kind as to participate in its creation, along with about ten others (A. Tolstoy, P. Muratov, G. Zaitsev, M. Kuzmine…). -1 letter addressed to Razumnik Vasilievich Ivanov (1878–1946) in Berlin, dated December 16, 1921. “Since we parted ways, my entire life has revolved around a single concern: the visa; visa to K…, visa from K…—it’s only been a few days since this back-and-forth has died down; and now I’m getting down to work. We’ve formed ‘Volfila’ / on the presidium: Minskiy, Lundberg, Schreider, Braun; the president: me. / I don’t know if this will work out. None of the members of “Volfila” are from St. Petersburg—they’re all from Berlin. (...)” He then goes on to discuss the conditions at the “Gelikon” publishing house. “Since we parted ways after the assignment, my whole life has been governed by a single motto: the motto of visas—visas to K…, visas from K…—it’s only been a few days since the hustle and bustle subsided; and now, for the first time, I’m getting down to work. We’ve established ‘Volfila’ /with the presidium consisting of Minsky, Lundberg, Schroeder, and Braun; I am the chair/. I don’t know if it will work out; the entire background of ‘Volfila’ is not St. Petersburg-based—it’s Berlin-based. I think nothing will come of it. I dearly love “Wolfila”: warm greetings to all. (...) this letter. It is purely business-related; and—here’s the thing. Here in Berlin, a literary and artistic monthly is being launched (10–15 printed sheets); the magazine is apolitical but aims to draw on the artistic and literary forces of Russia (...) even though the topics are concrete and the language is concrete.” - A letter addressed to Lyubov Dmitrievna Blok (1881–1939), daughter of Mendeleev and wife of the poet Alexander A. Blok (1880–1921), with whom he had had a very passionate relationship a few years earlier. Dated January 12, 1921, he discusses Gelikon, his publishing house for Russian literature in Berlin, and the literary and artistic journal he is preparing for September 1922; he asks Lyubov Dmitrievna for some of her husband’s unpublished writings that he might publish. He explains the publishing house’s royalties for authors and what it would offer for Blok. He reiterates that the journal is apolitical. “I am writing to you and to the ‘Blok Committee’ with a humble request. If there is any material about Sasha, or an unpublished article by Sasha, or anything from his letters or drafts that could see the light of day and that you deem possible for us to use—please do not refuse. But the publishers’ request is this: give us something that has not yet appeared in print (at this time) in Russia. The first issue will likely feature my contribution: my article about Sasha; and how wonderful it would be to enhance this issue with a contribution from ‘Blok.’ Well, for example: “Blok” as the editor of translations. The revisions to the text that you showed me would be invaluable. If there were unpublished poems, drafts, (...) We would print it all with great enthusiasm. (...) the publisher will find a reliable way to pay the fee as soon as the manuscript is received (if an advance is needed, then, of course, an advance will be provided).” -1 letter addressed to “Sonia” dated December 8, in which he recalls their late-night conversations, how he recognized in her a sister that fate had given him, speaks of a reunion in the summer, and asks for the addresses of Fechner, Razumnik, Volfil… -1 letter addressed to Elena Yulevna Fechner (1900–1985): “We will meet again—both as people and at ‘Volfil.’” He discusses the importance of “Volfila” (the philosophical association he chairs) and of loving Russia, since “there’s nothing to be found here.” -1 signed autograph note, requesting that a