14 Autograph Letters Signed and one Typed Letter Signed. Correspondence between Yarovoff and Oliver Sayler.

Yarovoff, Nikolai.

Published by Moscow: Nikolai Yarovoff-23., 1921

About this Item

14 Autograph Letters Signed and one Typed Letter Signed, approx. 25 pp, various sizes, Moscow, April 24, 1921 to September 27, 1923, most on lined paper, a few on ARA stationery, to Oliver Sayler, some browning and a few corners torn; together with 2 typed carbons from Sayler to Yarovoff, and various checks and receipts for food parcels. A fascinating correspondence between Yarovoff and Sayler, Yarovoff being one set of Oliver Sayler's "eyes and ears" in Russia. Yarovoff, a photographer (best known for his photograph of Anna Pavlova with her dog), an artist and a critic, had known Sayler from his travels round Russia in 1918-19, and indeed Sayler acknowledges Yarovoffin his book Russian Theater [1922]. Yarovoff, desperate for any work outside Russia, began to write articles which Sayler placed in American publications, silently taking a commission of 50 percent. This upset the Russian considerably when he discovered this, and by April 1923, Sayler had broken off their correspondence. The present correspondence deals with the food situation and the arrival of food parcels, theatrical performances, and the lack of clear communication on Sayler's side. There is a freshness to Yarovoff's reporting of the turmoil of post Revolutionary Russia, and his first letter of September 27, 1921 is 12 pages long and very considered. However, by 1923 a postcard sufficed. Yarovoff describes his work at the A.R.A. (salaries are 5-6 dollars a month, with as many as 30 men working for the price of one American); his desire to escape to Berlin to get healthcare for his wife; his hope that Sayler get him some accreditation in the American Press allowing him to do interviews, etc. As the communication on Sayler's side declines so the tone of the letters change until they break apart, when Yarovoff discovers that Sayler is charging 50% rather than 25% for his services. The last postcard dated 27/9/23 from Yarovoff to Sayler tells him he is traveling and to send the outstanding funds of $200 to one of his friends in New York.It is unlikely that sum was ever sent.

Seller Inventory # 15-8963

Bibliographic Details

• Title: 14 Autograph Letters Signed and one Typed Letter Signed. Correspondence between Yarovoff and Oliver Sayler.
• Publisher: Moscow: Nikolai Yarovoff-23.
• Publication Date: 1921
• Condition: Good
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)
• Seller catalogs:
  • Theatre