This collection is located on-site.
Manuscript memoirs (125 p.). They largely concern the world of rural landlords in Chernigov province in the late 19th and early 20th century. There is also reminiscences about von Meck's family and people Belli saw in their home, including artist B. M. Kustodiev; actors L. V. Sobinov, A. V. Nezhdanova, I. A. Alchevskii; Ippolit Il'ich Tchaikovsky, brother of the composer, first leader of the boy scouts in Russia, and many others.
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This collection is located on-site.
Reproductions may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.
Memoirs: Method of acquisition--Purchase; Date of acquisition--1971.
Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Memoirs Accessioned 1971.
Memoirs Processed 01/--/79.
Formerly part of Bakhmeteff (BAR) General Ms Collection with Coll No. BAR Ms Coll/Belli.
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Aleksandra Nikolaevna Belli, niece of the famous large landowner of the Chernigov province M. A. Belofastov. Soon after birth, she was left an orphan and was taken up by Nikolai Karlovich von Meck (son of Nadezhda Filaretovna von Meck, patroness of P. I. Tchaikovsky) and his wife Anna Lvovna (nee Davydova). N. K.Meck's father, a famous railway builder in Russia, left a huge fortune to his wife and children. N. K. Meck, a lawyer by education, continued the work of his father and at the beginning of the 20th century was an outstanding authority in Russia and Europe in the railway business. His sister, Princess Sofia Karlovna Golitsyna, was the founder of the first women's agricultural higher courses in Moscow. His wife, Anna Lvovna, was the beloved niece of P. I. Tchaikovsky (he wrote Polka peu dansante for her). N. K. Meck was killed by bolsheviks. Lev Vasil'evich Davydov, son of a Decembrist and father of Anna Lvovna von Meck, was married to Aleksandra Il'inichna Tchaikovskaya, the composer's sister. Anna Lvovna talked a lot with Nadezhda Filaretovna von Meck about Tchaikovsky and contributed greately to their correspondence friendship.
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