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Pushkin A.S. Eugene Onegin. A novel in verse. Work
by Alexander Pushkin. [Chapters I-VIII], St. Petersbourg, in A.
Smirdin’s printing-house, 1833. 8° (21,5х13,0 cm). Second edition.
(First in full). Contemporary red morocco, covers with frames in gilt,
spine is richly gilt, white watered-silk endpapers, borders, top edge
gilt. Fine copy!
N.P. Smirnov-Sokolskiy wrote about the history of
Eugene Onegin published in 1833:
«Pushkin lived in Petersburg from the end of 1831 to the first months
of 1833. The material affairs of the poet were far from excellent. He
issued very few books for this period, but the life with his wife in
Petersburg required very great expenses. Neither the state salary nor
the allowance from Smirdin was sufficient. He had to undertake
something to live not only on borrowings, bills and pledges.
It could happen that Smirdin gave the poet an opportunity to improve
his material affairs by issuing the first complete edition of Eugene
Onegin. Though the chapters of this novel printed in separate books
were not yet sold and held by Smirdin, they were few and expensive and
also not always complete. Smirdin was certainly interested in a new
and complete publication of Eugene Onegin.
However, Pushkin decided initially to print the complete issue of his
novel with the help of Pletnev. There is a very interesting draft
sheet in the book Pushkin's Handwriting with the poet's calculations
of the expected issue. These calculations were made already in Boldino,
about September 1830. In this sheet, he wrote the dates of finishing
the work on each chapter in Eugene Onegin and made the total
calculation of time spent for this writing. According to Pushkin's
calculations, he spent «7 years 4 months 17 days». This calculation is
followed by number 45, which is referred to by the compilers of the
book Pushkin's Handwriting as the total price of all the nine chapters
of this novel (at that time Pushkin was not going yet to combine the
eighth and ninth chapters in one), 9 chapters of 5 roubles each = 45
roubles.
Then this calculation gives number 15; in the opinion of commentators,
this is the new price proposed by the author for the complete edition
of Eugene Onegin (it also seems true for me) and then there is
multiplication of this price by the projected circulation of 2400
copies that resulted in the total issue price of 36000 roubles.
Further, there is a Pushkin's handwriting in the calculation: number
25 in a circle. The authors of comments tend to consider this number
as a new price proposed by the author for complete Eugene Onegin, i.
e., twenty-five rather than fifteen roubles per a copy. I dare to
disagree. It seems to me if a book-selling discount and printing costs
are deduced from the total issue price of 36000 roubles, then number
25 written by Pushkin will mean the net profit from the issue, which
the author could expect.
Most probably, this issue would take place in these terms but Pushkin
timely reminded that the right to re-issue all the chapters in Eugene
Onegin (with the exception of the last eighth chapter) was not held by
him due to the known agreement, which he concluded on May 01, 1830
with Smirdin. Under this agreement, Pushkin was entitled for four
years to publish any new books but «not to touch anything printed
before the agreement». Seven chapters of Eugene Onegin were included
in the number of the latter. Pushkin had to wait more than one year
until the end of this term but his need in money was great and,
therefore, whether the author of Eugene Onegin would like or not, he
had to negotiate with Smirdin about a new complete edition of his
novel.
Instead of Pushkin's projected profit of 25000 roubles from this
issue, Smirdin proposed the royalty of 12000 roubles that is the most
common «half», which was already referred to several times in the
preceding stories. At the same time, certainly, all the costs of this
publication were undertaken by Smirdin. The price of complete Eugene
Onegin was fixed at twelve rather than fifteen roubles as Pushkin
would like; as to the circulation, it remained the same as was
projected by the author: 2000 or 2400 copies. From one issue of 1200
copies, Smirdin could not pay the author the royalty of 12000 roubles.
However, at that time, the control over the circulation of this issue
was not held either by Pushkin or by Pletnev. Under the agreement,
Smirdin was the publisher of complete Eugene Onegin rather than the
purchaser of its full issue. That is why for the first time Smirdin
put on Pushkin's book his trademark Published by Book-Seller Smirdin
and printed this book at his own printing house.
Eugene Onegin was published by Smirdin very finely though simply.
Probably, he published the major part of this issue in the publisher's
covers because there are very rare copies in printed covers, which are
made roughly, without a usual type-set frame and decorations. The only
printing is Eugene Onegin on the face cover and Sold at A. Smirdin's
Book Shop. Price 12 roubles on the back cover. To some extent, such a
cover was almost equal to a «dumb» colour wrapping, in which some
books were published at that time. This novel was published without
dedications, preface and Dialogue of Book-Seller and Poet. In the end,
after the notes, Fragments from Onegin's Travel were printed. This
full publication of the novel was greeted in such words by Moscow
Telegraph:
«Until now Onegin was sold at a price, which was not heard in the
book-selling annals: 40 roubles to be paid for eight parts! One can
judge about the extra charge because now Onegin with appendices and
notes is sold at 12 roubles. Praise the poet, who took compassion upon
the thin pockets of reading people! Cheer to Russia, where rich people
buy so few books, while it was so difficult for poor ones to buy
Onegin!...»
Along with all the appearing friendliness of this article, there is a
biting hint to very expensive separate parts of Eugene Onegin.
I have already said that this issue was extremely annoying for Pushkin.
His Denials to Critics contain such answer to this accusation, which
was not printed during the poet's life: «In addition to other literary
accusation, I was reproached for a too high price of Eugene Onegin, in
which they saw my awful self-interest. It is good to say so for those
who have not sold the own works at all or whose works have not been
sold but how could this nice accusation be repeated by the publishers
of North Bee? The price is fixed by the book-sellers rather than by
the writer. With respect to verses, the number of demanders is
limited. It consists from the same persons, who pay 5 roubles for a
seat at the theatre. Having purchased the whole issue, for example, at
one rouble per copy, the book-sellers would sell still at 5 roubles.
However, in this case, the author could start the second issue
cheaper, but the book-seller could then reduce the own price and this
drop the new issue. These trade turnovers are well known by us, common
writers. We know that a cheap book does not prove that the author is
unselfish, but evidences either a great demand for this book or
absolute termination of sale. I ask what is more profitable: to print
20000 copies of a book and sell them at 50 kopecks or to print 200
copies to be sold at 50 roubles? For example, fables and novels are
read by writers, merchants, gentlemen, ladies, chambermaids, and
children as well. But a lyrical poem is read only by those who love
poetry. Are they numerous?»
Reference literature:
1. Smirnov-Sokol’skii, Biblioteka, vol. I, №1016.
2. Kilgour (to be absent).
3. Smirnov-Sokol’skii, Rasskazy o prizhiznennykh izdaniyakh Pushkina,
№31, p.p. 309-320.
4. Tsyavlovskii, Pushkin in Print, 1814-1837, №908. |
