DOSTOEVSKY FYODOR (1821-1881) Igrok [The Gambler]: [First Publication of the Novel]. St. Petersburg: F. ...

DOSTOEVSKY FYODOR (1821-1881) Igrok [The Gambler]: [First Publication of the Novel]. St. Petersburg: F. Stellovsky's Printing House, 1866. - [Vol. 3]. pp. 5-63. - (Complete Works of F.M. Dostoevsky. New, Enlarged Edition; Published and Owned by F. Stellovsky: [in 4 volumes]. St. Petersburg, 1866-1870). 29.5x22.5 cm. First publication of the novel.
Bound in a composite cover from the early 20th century: leather spine with handwritten title and author's name, marbled paper on the covers. In good condition with some wear to the corners of the spine and covers, minor repair to a tear on the title page, and a stamp from I.P. Perevoznikov's book depository in St. Petersburg on the title page.

The concept for "The Gambler" emerged in the autumn of 1863. In the summer of 1865, facing pressure from creditors, Dostoevsky was compelled to sell the rights to publish his complete works to a "speculator" and "rather unsavory individual" named F.T. Stellovsky. "However, our contract included an article," recounted Dostoevsky in a letter to A.V. Korvin-Krukovskaya dated June 17, 1866, "in which I promised him, for his edition, to prepare a novel of no less than twelve printed sheets. And if I fail to deliver it by November 1, 1866 (the final deadline), then he, Stellovsky, is free to publish whatever I write for the next nine years, without any remuneration for me."

Engrossed in his work on "Crime and Punishment," Dostoevsky did not begin the new novel until the beginning of October 1866. With less than a month remaining to fulfill his obligation, he was forced to enlist the assistance of stenographer Anna Grigorievna Snitkina (who would later become his wife) and dictated the text of the novel to her over a period of 26 days, from October 4th to 29th.

In her memoirs, A.G. Dostoevskaya recounted the process of writing "The Gambler." Prior to her arrival, Dostoevsky made rough sketches, and then, from 12 to 4 p.m. with short breaks, he dictated the text to A.G. Snitkina, who transcribed and copied it at home. The manuscript of the novel, which was submitted to Stellovsky on November 1, 1866, originally bore the title "Roulettenburg" (i.e., "The City of Roulette"). However, the publisher insisted on replacing this title with "some other, more Russian" title (Keiko, E.I. Comments: F.M. Dostoevsky. The Gambler // Dostoevsky, F.M. Complete Works in 15 Volumes. Leningrad, 1989. Vol. 4, pp. 777-782).

First publication of the novel.

Bibliography: Lesman. No. 810.