To F. A. Kumanin, 9 September 1889. Moscow.

A brief business note written 9 September 1889 from Moscow to Fyodor Aleksandrovich Kumanin (1855-1896), editor of the Moscow theatrical journal Artist (Артистъ), which published play texts and criticism and with which Chekhov had dealings as both playwright and reviewer.

The letter is purely practical, three sentences of substance sandwiched between dateline and signature. Chekhov reports that Aleksey Suvorin – his publisher, patron, and closest correspondent of these years – is currently abroad and not expected back in Russia until roughly the end of October. He then notes two small errands he has already carried out: he has written to a person named Likhachev, and he is sending along a copy of his own one-act play Swan Song (Лебединая песня, 1887-88), almost certainly for possible use or notice in Kumanin’s journal.