Chekhov, Anton [Plays]. P'esy. 

Sankt-Peterburg, А.С. Suvorin, 1897.
8vo, 335 pp.

In quarter leather. 
In good condition, lightly rubbed, neatly rebacked preserving original spine.

First edition of Anton Chekhov’s first collection of plays.

The book includes seven plays: 'Medved’' ('The Bear'), 'Predlozhenie' ('A Marriage Proposal'), 'Tragik Ponevole' ('A Tragedian in Spite of Himself'), 'Lebedinaia Pesnia (Kalkhas)' (Swan Song), 'Ivanov', 'Chaika' ('The Seagull'), and 'Diadia Vania' ('Uncle Vanya'). 
This is the first book edition of five plays (excluding 'A Tragedian in Spite of Himself' and 'Ivanov'), which had previously appeared only in lithographic editions or periodicals. It also represents the first ever edition of 'Uncle Vanya'.
Published in April 1897, the volume was personally edited by Chekhov, who made revisions under pressure from censors - the original version of 'The Seagull' had been banned from performance in popular theaters. 
The premiere of 'The Seagull' in 1896 was a complete failure. Deeply disheartened, Chekhov vowed never to write for the stage again. However, for this edition he reworked his earlier unsuccessful play 'Leshii' ('The Wood Demon', 1889) into 'Uncle Vanya'.
'Uncle Vanya' became a great success following publication, with acclaimed performances in Odessa, Kiev, Nizhny Novgorod, Saratov, and Tiflis. Royalties from 'Uncle Vanya' and 'The Seagull' formed a substantial part of Chekhov’s income through the end of 1898.

Kilgour, No 235.

OCLC locates two copies of this edition in the United States: one in the Houghton Library and one in the Yale University Library.

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