Russian Communist leader (1879–1940) who, with Lenin, organized the Bolshevik seizure of power during the October Revolution of 1917. In 1929, after Lenin’s death, Stalin defeated Trotsky for control of the Communist party and banished him from Russia. Trotsky spent most of the remainder of his life in Mexico, where he was assassinated with a pickaxe by a Stalinist agent. TLS in French, two pages, 7.25 x 11, December 8, 1938. Trotsky writes to a friend. In part (translated): “This letter serves as full power for you to take care of the affair concerning my grandson Vsievolod (Sieva) Volkof in my name ... after various vicissitudes related to the accession of the Nazi regime in Germany, at which time Sieva was temporarily separated from my son, was again reunited with him in 1934 in Paris.... There is a child’s fate at stake, whom the father has been missing for almost 5 years who maybe still is alive in some jail of Stalin and who could one day claim his rights.... I can in no way consider my grandson, the only family member that I have left, as an object that I can give away to Mrs. Martin ‘right away and forever.’” In fine condition, with a couple trivial spots. Auction LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
