Lot 289
Rasputin, Grigory. This Siberian peasant, who gained access to the highest circles of power in Russia and exerted great influence over the Russian royal family, never learned to write in more than a rudimentary fashion. He was probably born in the late 1860's; after about twenty years in which he did a great deal of wandering, and during which time he established a reputation as a holy man with unusual powers. Rasputin arrived on the scene in St. Petersburg in 1907. He apparently had real abilities as a healer, and after saving the life of the Crown Prince Alexei several times, he gained unprecendented access to the household of Czar Nicholas II and the devotion of the Czarina Alexandra. Jealousy and disapproval of Rasputin's licentious behavior made him many enemies. When World War I began he opposed it on the ground that it would be disastrous for Russia, but at first the war had tremendous popular support, and consequently, Rasputin became even more hated. At the same time, the Czar's preoccupation with the war left greater power in the hands of the Czarina, who was very much under Rasputin's influence. Every faction from far left to far right had some reason to despise him. There were efforts by his enemies, sometimes successful, to oust him from St. Petersburg (but he always managed to return); and there were plots against his life. By 1915 Rasputin, who was rather naive in matters of political intrigue when he came to the capital, had immersed himself in its corruption, plotting and influence peddling. Colin Wilson, one of his many biographers, theorizes that Rasputin sensed his own fate was bound up with that of the royal family; if they were to survive, it would be his doing, and if they were to fall, he was doomed. Rasputin began more and more to behave carelessly and self-destructively, like a doomed man which he was. Rasputin was assassinated at the end of 1916, and the Romanov dynasty fell soon after.
This letter, with its humanitarian purpose, seems to represent the positive side of Rasputin's personality, which also harbored the healer and mystic. Certainly he was more than the evil, unbalanced monk which he is often portrayed as. A very interesting and extremely rare autograph letter of one of the most fascinating and unique characters in Russian history. The actual autograpgh of Rasputin is very rare in any form and an ALS such as this must be considered a true treasure. Russian religious and political figure who had a powerful influence on the last royal family of Russia.
Autograph Letter Signed "Rasputin," in Russian, One page, Large Octavo, [St. Petersburg?], no date, with the name "T. Zenif" written in another hand at the top. There is also a handstamp on the integral leaf in the shape of an inverted triangle with the words "Highest Political Office Building." In this very rare letter, Rasputin asks the recipient to assist in finding shelter for an orphan; it reads:
"Dear, Sorry for bothering you, please find a place for an orphan to stay, and give her shelter - Rasputin." .
Fine.
Estimated Value $9,000 - 13,000.
|
| |
| Realized $8,970 |
