MENDELEEV DMITRI IVANOVITCH (1834-1907), AUTOGRAPH Handwritten letter from D.I. Mendeleev to the Director of the Public Library, Athanasius Fedorovich Bychkov (1818-1899). 23rd December 1890. A great rarity - the scientist's letters are extremely rare on today's antiquities market. Text on 1 page. Traces of folding. ''Dear Sir / Afanasy Fedorovich, / Since I have already succeeded in petitioning you on behalf of Mr. Tamarin for a position in the Public Library, I have decided to make a similar request today. I hope that once again you will not refuse to appoint [illegible] Alexander Alekseevich Vasilyev, the son of a porcelain factory artist. Please accept my deepest respect and my willingness to serve. / D. Mendeleev. [translated from Russian] Afanasy Fyodorovich Bychkov (1818-1899) was a Russian historian, archaeographer, bibliographer, paleographer, academician of the St Petersburg Academy of Sciences (1869), director of the Imperial Public Library (1882-1899), member of the Council of State (since 1890). Privy Councillor. Dmitri Ivanovitch Mendeleev was a great Russian scientist and public figure, honorary doctor of numerous universities and honorary member of academies and scientific societies in the world's leading countries. The scientist's authority was enormous. His scientific credentials included more than a hundred titles. Almost all the major institutions - academies, universities, scientific societies - in Russia and abroad elected D.I. Mendeleïev as an honorary member. However, the scientist signed his work and official correspondence simply as 'D. Mendeleïev' or 'Professor Mendeleïev'. At the buyer's request, we would be happy to provide a general condition report on the lot described above. However, as we are not professional conservators or restorers, we strongly advise prospective buyers to carry out their own inspection or consult a specialist of their choice for a full assessment of the condition of the lot. Descriptions of items provided in the catalogue or by correspondence are for guidance only and should not be relied upon as a definitive assessment. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD 'AS IS' IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE PUBLISHED IN THE CATALOGUE.