Our Notes & References
First edition of Tolstoy’s masterpiece and one of the greatest novels of world literature.
A bibliophile set: a tall example in its first binding retaining the very rare, original 6-volume presentation; with only minimal external surface restoration, and none whatsoever internally: nothing cleaned, nothing repaired. The great collector M. Lesman owned a set bound in 3 volumes, as usually found.
Provenance
N. V. (Cyrillics initials to spine feet).
Bibliography
Kilgour 1196; Lesman 2247.
Physical Description
Six volumes large 8vo (24 x 16 cm; block c. 23.5 x 15.5 cm). Half-title, title, 297 and 146 pp.; half-title, title, 186 pp. and a blank leaf; half-title, title and 284 pp.; half-title, title and 336 pp.; half-tite, title and 323 pp.; half-title, title, 290 pp. and a blank leaf; with the odd pagination mistakes as in Kilgour.
Binding
Contemporary Russian dark green half roan over dark green marbled boards, flat spines lettered in gilt with gilt fillets, marbled edges.
Condition
Bindings a bit rubbed, esp. at extremities, vol. 1 a bit more worn, head of its spine tender, only with light surface restoration; light foxing throughout, mostly marginal, the odd minor staining or dampstaining, a larger, old black ink stain to the blank margin of c. 20 ll. in vol. 1, part 2, not affecting text, 4 pp. in vol. 6 never bound (missed by the binder) and loosely inserted, as a result with margins slightlty creased.