Maxim Gorky and the Publishing House of I.P. Ladyzhnikov (Based on Archival Materials)

Abstract

Based on the hitherto unpublished archival materials, this article examines the history of creation and specific traits of an obscure small Russophone Publishing house of I.P. Ladyzhnikov. It also analyzes the role and the scope of Maxim Gorky’s contribution to the work of this publishing house. It is shown that Gorky was one of the founders of this Berlin-based firm. Not only was he an ideological inspirator of this new business, he also supported it financially. As a result of collective efforts on behalf of Gorky and prominent leaders of the Bolshevik party in 1905, the Russianlanguage publishing house was established abroad. By publishing the works of Gorky and other democratic writers of the Znanie group, it secured their copyright in Europe and America and contributed part of its income to the Bolshevik party funds. In 1905–1912, under the direction of Ladyzhnikov, all new works of Gorky were published by this press. The peak of the Publishing house of I.P. Ladyzhnikov fell upon the most fruitful creative period in the life of the main author of this publishing house — M. Gorky. At the end of 1912 Ladyzhnikov was forced to transfer his business to his partner — B.N. Rubinstein, due to financial difficulties. However, the publishing house continued to exist until 1932. The article examines in detail the lesser-studied postrevolutionary period of the Publishing house of I.P. Ladyzhnikov under the leadership of Rubinstein and demonstrates Rubinstein’s significant participation in the translation and publication of Gorky’s works, including translations and productions of his plays abroad.

Keywords

• maxim gorky
• demos
• v.d. bonch-bruevich
• publishing house of i.p. ladyzhnikov
• copyright
• k.p. pyatnitsky
• i.p. ladyzhnikov
• b.n. rubinstein
• m.i. budberg
• p.p. kryuchkov.