RIIS, S.M. [Sergius Martin]

Yankee Komisar [Presentation Copy, lengthily inscribed to Vilhjalmur Stefansson]

New York: Robert Speller, 1935. First Edition. First printing. With a lengthy inscription to the noted Arctic explorer Vilhjalmur Stefansson on front fly-leaf, reading in full: "On the occasion of my 25th anniversary as active member of the Explorers Club, I wish to present this book to its honored President Dr. Vilhjalmur Stefansson, whose sympathies and unfailing understanding of the various knotty problems in connection with the promotion of exploring expeditions has done so much to encourage those less experienced in taking on such undertakings - therefore preserving the True Character of the Clulb, as Truly Explorers club," signed, datemarked New York, Feb. 1937. Octavo (21cm). Publisher's blue cloth, titled in red; 236pp. Bookplate of the Stefansson Collection, Dartmouth University (with small deaccession stamp). Small (ca. 3/4") split to front hinge (internal); gentle fading to cloth on spine; a few pages roughly opened, else a tight, Very Good copy. Front panel and front flap of dustwrapper have been affixed to the rear pastedown.

A very distinguished copy of this rather uncommon work, in which the author narrates an almost unbelievable account of his experiences in the Russian Revolution of 1917. Riis, an American Naval intelligence officer assigned to Moscow, was forced to flee for his life at the outset of the Revolution; he was soon captured by Red Army guards, but on the way back to Moscow he killed his guard, assuming his identity. Now lacking identification, and unable to convince the American ministry to Russia that he was who he claimed to be, Riis was forced to remain incognito in the Red Army for more than a year, eventually achieving the rank of High Komisar of Kazan, before finally escaping on a merchant vessel out of Odessa and returning to the U.S. Riis concludes, "I would rather be a doorman in the United States, with no hopes for the future beyond that, than be the mightiest man in all Russia, with the doorways of the world waiting to be opened at my touch."

Price: $500.00

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