Beschreibung:

TOLSTOY, Leo (1828-1910). Anna Karenina . Moscow: T. Ris, 1878. First edition of Tolstoy's masterpiece. 'As art it is perfection', declared Dostoevsky , who felt that there was nothing in European literature that could be compared with Anna Karenina (quoted in Simmons); Thomas Mann thought it 'without equal'. Tolstoy's second great novel was serialized in Ruskii Vestnik from 1873 to 1878, but a clash between its editor Mikhail Katkov and Tolstoy prevented publication of the final instalment. This first edition marks the first appearance of the complete text. Kilgour 1196; Simmons, pp.340, 346-7. 3 volumes, octavo (210 x 136mm). With the final blank in volume 3 (light scattered spotting, margins with occasional light soiling and occasional light staining). Contemporary quarter leather, cloth sides, panelled spines lettered and numbered in gilt, including monogram FM in Cyrillic (joints cracked but holding firmly, some repaired at foot, spine ends rubbed, side extremities lightly worn, upper cover of vol. 3 lightly stained). Provenance : F.M (monogram on spines) – modern small ink inscription on all front endleaves.