SEBASTOPOL, UNE RENCONTRE AU DETACHEMENT, DEUX HUSSARDS, PREFACE INEDITE [1854-1889]

First of the Edition, Edition Litt?rale et Int?grale. Frontispiece portrait of Tolstoi and a map of Sebastopol, both dated 1855. 8vo, bound handsomely in a contemporary French binding of black crushed morocco over marbled paper covered boards, the spines with raised bands, two compartements lettered in gilt, t.e.g., marbled endleaves. 405, [3] pp. A handsome and attractive copy, some old evidence of mellowing or a touch of damp to the lower foredge of a few leaves, primarily the blanks or initial prelims to to the volume, not affecting the bindings or the text and quite unobtrusive, the bindings are in good order, very well preserved with only light evidence of use. A pleasing copy.

Edizione: scarce edition. the great american writer of the period, william dean howell?s wrote eloquently of tolstoi?s gift to the reader. in part, he states: ?tolstoi brings us back to a certain ideal.and this work, so incomparably good aesthetically, to my thinking, is still greater ethically. you will not find its lessons put at you, any more than you will those of life. no little traps are sprung for your surprise; no calcium light is thrown upon this climax or that; no virtue or vice is posed for you; but if you have ears to hear or eyes to see, listen and look, and you will have the sense of inexhaustable signficance.?