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an old photo of a group of people sitting around a tablea handwritten letter from a man who is holding up a piece of papera close up of a piece of paper with writing on ita black and white photo of a group of people posing for a picturean old postcard with a picture of a dog on it
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915 - VYROUBOVA (TANEÏEVA) A.A. (1884–1964), AUTOGRAPH
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Estimate €800 - €1,000
Sale commission
Description
VYROUBOVA (TANEÏEVA) A.A. (1884–1964), AUTOGRAPH Autograph letter addressed to Uncle Alexei [Count Alexei Nikolaevich Ignatiev (1874–1948)]. No place, no date. 1 p. 27.5 x 21.5 cm. She asks him to pass on a letter to Princess Olga Paley (1865–1929) and gives an update on her mother’s health. Anna Alexandrovna Vyroubova (née Taneyeva; 1884–1964), closest friend of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, memoirist. She knew Grigori Rasputin well. RASPUTIN G.E. (1869–1916) Postcard ‘Rasputin so svoimi rasputnitsami’ [Rasputin with his female admirers]. Moscow: ‘Ideal’ photographic studio, 1914–1916. 8.5 x 13 cm. Good condition. Studio stamp on the reverse. Reproduction of a rare photograph which caused quite a stir in high society when it first appeared. Excerpt from the memoirs of A.A. Vyroubova: ‘There is a photograph that was reproduced in Russia as well as in Europe and America. It shows Rasputin seated like an oracle amongst the aristocratic ladies of his “harem” and seems to confirm the immense influence he is said to have wielded in court circles. […] I can explain this photograph, as I appear in it myself. In the early days, only those who, like Their Majesties, sought clarification on various religious matters would visit Grigori Efimovich; after morning service in some monastery, having received Holy Communion, the faithful would gather round him to listen to his talks, and I, always ‘in search’ of religious fervour and comfort amidst the endless intrigues and malice of the court, I listened with interest to the extraordinary talks of a man who was by no means a scholar, but who spoke in such a way that learned professors and priests found it interesting to listen to him’. (Taneeva (Vyrubova) A.A. Pages from My Life. Moscow, 2000, pp. 141–142). At the buyer’s request, we shall be happy to provide a general report on the condition of the lot described above. However, as we are not professional conservators or restorers, we strongly advise potential buyers to carry out their own inspection or to consult a specialist of their choice to obtain a comprehensive assessment of the lot’s condition. Descriptions of items provided in the catalogue or by correspondence are for information purposes only and should not be regarded as a definitive assessment. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSION REGARDING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD ‘AS IS’, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE PUBLISHED IN THE CATALOGUE.
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About the sale RARE BOOKS & MANUSCRIPTS: Antique books § Autographs, rare editions, photographs § Works on paper
Auction location
Auction time 10/29/2026 at 2:30 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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