Much-esteemed Russian-born American writer (1899–1977), best known for the controversial 1955 classic Lolita, widely hailed as one of the greatest novels of the 20th century. TLS in Russian, signed “B. Habokob,” one page, 8.75 x 11, August 14, 1931. Letter to Mr. Lvov. In full (translated): “I acknowledge the receipt of your letter of August 11, 1931 and hereby give you my consent to translate the attached material into English, under the previously agreed-upon conditions, until the end of August. Please acknowledge the receipt of this letter, since I received your letter of August 11 only today, August 14, and I am not sure that you will receive my letter within the deadline set by you.” Nabokov has added three short words in his hand to the end of the first paragraph. In good to very good condition, with a few partial separations along central horizontal and vertical fold, scattered toning, foxing, and soiling, scattered edge tears, two holes to left side, and scattered creasing and wrinkling.
Lollii Lvov was a literary consultant for the Paris paper Russia and Slavdom when he and Nabokov discussed the possible publication of Glory, Nabokov’s novel composed between 1930 and 1932. Although Navokov would ultimately decline Lvov’s offer, this letter and its talk of deadlines and translations clearly relates to that fledgling agreement. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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