One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich Signed First Edition Reference

Odin den’ Ivana Denisovicha (Novy Mir, November 1962; English: Praeger, 1963) describes a single day in the life of a Gulag prisoner — from wake-up to lights-out, in precise, unsentimental detail. Published with Khrushchev’s personal authorization during the brief thaw of de-Stalinization, the novella was a political and literary sensation. Its publication marked the first time a Soviet author had described the camp system from personal experience.

First Edition Identification

Russian first: Published in Novy Mir literary journal, November 1962. English first: Frederick A. Praeger, 1963. Translated by Max Hayward and Ronald Hingley.

Signed Copy Market Values

• Signed English first (Praeger): $300–$800
• Unsigned English first: $50–$150

The book that launched the most significant literary-political career of the Cold War era. Its historical importance transcends its literary qualities.