In the autobiographical essay that precedes his book of poems, Aleksey Zhemchuzhnikov writes, “Until now not a single collection of my poems has been published, and I am perhaps the only poet who lived until the age of 71 and did not publish a single one. This happened because in my youth I did not care about publishing what I had written, and then I put it off — I must admit — out of vanity. I willingly agreed to have the works of the popular Kuzma Prutkov published, especially as I am not the only one responsible for them. And poems signed with my name… that’s a different matter. I have never been popular. Reviews written about me appeared in the press very rarely. One of the reasons for not publishing my works is that I might not have put in a good word about them. For several years now I have been in a constant state of hesitation. I have always wanted to write something better and I never gave up hope that I could do it. Now I am publishing a complete collection of my poems. This is not because my hope has been fulfilled but because it is finally time! At my age I cannot afford to postpone things for the future. It is time to take stock and give the public an account of my literary activity, whatever it may be”.
The autobiographical essay was written by Aleksey Mikhailovich Zhemchuzhnikov on February 17, 1892, as a preface to the first edition of the collection of his poems, which was published the same year. The book, housed in the Kirsanov Local History Museum, is the third edition of the poet’s works. It includes two volumes of poems by A. M. Zhemchuzhnikov, presumably previously released as separate books, and the supplement entitled “Songs of Old Age”, which contains poems for the years 1892-1899. This is the final chord of the poet Zhemchuzhnikov’s creative work.
On the front page of the book and on the first page of the supplement “Songs of Old Age” there is a handwritten inscription by Zhemchuzhnikov: “To Mikhail Andreevich Zaveryachyov from the author. 18 June 1901. Ilyinovka”.
M. A. Zaveryachev was the manager of the estate of M. A. Boratynsky, who was the son-in-law of A. M. Zhemchuzhnikov. The latter spent much time at the estate at the end of his life. The dedicatory inscription suggests that Aleksey Mikhailovich knew the manager, respected him; they communicated a lot. The fact that M. A. Zaveryachev cherished the book presented to him is an indication that this respect and kind attitude were mutual.
The autobiographical essay was written by Aleksey Mikhailovich Zhemchuzhnikov on February 17, 1892, as a preface to the first edition of the collection of his poems, which was published the same year. The book, housed in the Kirsanov Local History Museum, is the third edition of the poet’s works. It includes two volumes of poems by A. M. Zhemchuzhnikov, presumably previously released as separate books, and the supplement entitled “Songs of Old Age”, which contains poems for the years 1892-1899. This is the final chord of the poet Zhemchuzhnikov’s creative work.
On the front page of the book and on the first page of the supplement “Songs of Old Age” there is a handwritten inscription by Zhemchuzhnikov: “To Mikhail Andreevich Zaveryachyov from the author. 18 June 1901. Ilyinovka”.
M. A. Zaveryachev was the manager of the estate of M. A. Boratynsky, who was the son-in-law of A. M. Zhemchuzhnikov. The latter spent much time at the estate at the end of his life. The dedicatory inscription suggests that Aleksey Mikhailovich knew the manager, respected him; they communicated a lot. The fact that M. A. Zaveryachev cherished the book presented to him is an indication that this respect and kind attitude were mutual.
