Alexander Solzhenitsyn
n.p., January 18, 1994
Alexander Solzhenitsyn Signed "One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich" Dated 1994, The Year He Returned to Russia
SB

A Russian-language copy of Alexander Solzhenitsyn (1918-2008), "One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich" (translated title) (Paris: YMCA-Press, 1987), which was a 25th anniversary edition commemorating the first publication of Solzhenitsyn's work of the same name in the Soviet Union in 1962. The book is signed, inscribed, and dated by Solzhenitsyn on the first free endpaper facing the full title page, as, roughly translated: "To dear Alexandra Ivanovna Nazarova, with friendly greetings… 18.01.94." N.p. With soft pale green wrappers. Expected wear including isolated foxing and margin stains, with additional minor stains affecting the spine, front and back covers. Else very good to near fine. 37-122pp. 4.75" x 6.875" x .375".

The recipient of this presentation copy may have been Russian theatre and film actress Alexandra Ivanovna Nazarova (1940-2019).

Alexander Solyzhenitsyn's novella "One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich" [Russian title: "???? ???? ????? ??????????"; transliterated title: "Odin den' Ivana Denisovicha"] was inspired by Solzhenitsyn's personal experiences in a 1950s Soviet labor camp, specifically his time at Ekibastuz, Kazakhstan from 1950-1953. The story revolves around protagonist Ivan Denisovich Shukhov, a former World War II prisoner of war in Germany who is accused of espionage and sentenced to a 10-year prison term of hard labor. Solzhenitsyn set his story over the course of a 24-hour period at the work camp to give a fuller sense of its psychological impact. As quoted by the Alexander Solzhenitsyn Center, he later stated: "… it should suffice to give a thorough description of a single day… that would reflect the entirety of our experience…. It shouldn't be an extraordinary day at all, but rather a completely unremarkable one, the kind of day that will add up to years."

"One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich" was initially published in the Soviet literary magazine "Novy Mir," or "New World," in November 1962. Though limited, its circulation was still open, and this was the first time the work of a Russian anti-Stalinist writer was allowed in print. Throughout his literary career, Solzhenitsyn maintained a close working relationship with YMCA-Press, an imprint based in Paris after 1925. YMCA-Press primarily provided Russian-language reading material to Russian expatriates, and expressly published works by banned or censured Russian authors. Under the YMCA-Press imprint, Solzhenitsyn published "Cancer Ward" in 1968 as well as "The Gulag Archipelago" in 1973.

The author's criticism of Soviet leadership, practices, and the justice system described in "One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich" and "The Gulag Archipelago" led to Solzhenitsyn's deportation in 1974. This signed volume has the added cachet of dating from 1994, the year Solzhenitsyn returned to Russia after nearly 20 years of exile spent in West Germany, Switzerland, and the United States.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

  • Dimensions: 4.75" x 6.875" x .375"
  • Medium: SB

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Unless otherwise indicated, we do our own in-house world-wide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses that proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with a signature required option, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice. If any changes to the shipping address need to be made, you must inform us immediately.***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third-Party Shipping Option: If a third-party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third-party. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third-party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third-party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third-party shippers.

After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 10 business days following receipt of full payment for item.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Wilton, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

by University Archives
July 28, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
88 Danbury Road
Suite 2A
Wilton, CT, US 06897

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000