Bonhams is set to sell a signed copy of Gavrila Romanovich Derzhavin's complete works in its Russian Literature and Works on Paper auction, which will be held in New York on June 26.
 Derzhavin set the benchmark for Russian poetry, influencing the likes of Pushkin, Nikoli Nekrasov and Maria Tsvetaeva |
The collection of the Russian poet's work, first published in 1808, is valued at $60,000-80,000, boosted by the addition of Derzhavin's signature.
Derzhavin was considered the greatest Russian poet until the arrival of Alexander Pushkin.
Another highlight of the sale is Anton Chekhov's Stories and Tales from 1894, with this presentation copy warmly inscribed to a waiter at the Grand Hotel in Moscow where Chekhov stayed.
This week sees a series of high-profile sales of Russian art, as London welcomes Russian Art Week 2013. Check out our Art & Photography news section for previews and results of the all the biggest auctions.
