Tchitchikoff's Journeys; Or, Dead Souls (2 vols. complete)
New York: Thomas Y. Crowell & Co., 1886. First American edition/ First complete English-language edition. Hardcover. Octavos. Vol.1: 364pp. Vol.2: 285pp. [7]. Maroon buckram boards with gilt lettering and insignia on the front covers and spines. Decorative endpapers. This edition of Nickolai Gogol's acclaimed work is translated (as were an number of other Gogol works during this time) by American Slavic-language translator and writer scholar Isabel F. Hapgood, and published by Thomas Y. Crowell. 1854 saw the work's first translation into English in Britain, but this was only the first part of the book and it was issued under the title "Home Life in Russia", with an alternate ending. Thus is edition can be counted as the first full and unabridged English-language translation of the work, issued under its original title. A satirical portrayal of life, politics and class in feudal Russia of the mid-19th century, the work is seen as a foundational and seminal work of realist Russian literature.
Bindings with spines sunned with some light staining and light shipping and rubbing to the head and tails. Light rubbing to corners. Light scratches and abrasions to the covers. Side edges of book block nicked with some small abrasions. Top of book block of Vol.1 lightly stained. Front free endpaper with signature of the previous owner in pen at the top. Minor age toning to pages throughout. Book blocks tight. Bindings in good+, interiors in near fine condition overall. g+ to near fine. Item #46414
* A British edition from the same translation by Hapgood was issue the following year.
Price: $950.00