![TOLSTOY, Leo (1828-1910, editor) – Krug chteniia. Izbrannyia, sobrannyia i raspolozhennyia na kazhdii den [Circle of Reading. Selected, Collected and Arranged for Each Day]. Moscow: by I.N. Kushnerev for Posrednik, 1906.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2018/CKS/2018_CKS_17162_0088_001(tolstoy_leo_krug_chteniia_izbrannyia_sobrannyia_i_raspolozhennyia_na_k111939).jpg?w=1)
![TOLSTOY, Leo (1828-1910, editor) – Krug chteniia. Izbrannyia, sobrannyia i raspolozhennyia na kazhdii den [Circle of Reading. Selected, Collected and Arranged for Each Day]. Moscow: by I.N. Kushnerev for Posrednik, 1906.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2018/CKS/2018_CKS_17162_0088_000(tolstoy_leo_krug_chteniia_izbrannyia_sobrannyia_i_raspolozhennyia_na_k105222).jpg?w=1)
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TOLSTOY, Leo (1828-1910, editor) – Krug chteniia. Izbrannyia, sobrannyia i raspolozhennyia na kazhdii den [Circle of Reading. Selected, Collected and Arranged for Each Day]. Moscow: by I.N. Kushnerev for Posrednik, 1906.
A presentation copy of the first edition, inscribed by Tolstoy to his wayward favourite son Andrei: 'For Andriusha from father. Read, please, every morning. L. Tolstoy. 14 February 1906'. Andrei led a dissolute life, and had a weakness for women of all ranks. His father lectured him incessantly but with empathy, since Leo's own epiphany only came late in life. According to Andrei's nephew, Sergei Tolstoi, Leo 'loved Andrei perhaps more than his other sons, though he strongly disapproved of his behavior. He would say "I do not want to love him, but I love him because he is genuine"' (Tolstoi). The gift of this book, in which Tolstoy compiled wisdom for each day of the year, was one more attempt to encourage Andrei to mend his ways. It is, with its pleading inscription, the embodiment of a strained but loving relationship. Andrei paid no heed: the following year he abandoned his wife and two children, and eloped with the wife of the Governor of Tula – a friend of his father's – leaving him in the lurch with six children. Tolstoi, S. M. Les enfants de Tolstoi (Paris: 1989).
Two volumes, octavo (195 x 133mm). (Margins yellowed; occasional short marginal tears, and occasional light staining.) Contemporary burgundy quarter leather with cloth sides (spines worn; joints starting and held with clear tape; corners rubbed). Provenance: Leo Tolstoy (presentation inscription to:) – Andrei L'vovich Tolstoi (1877-1916) – Mariia Andreevna Tolstaia (1908-1993, Andrei's daughter; signature on the front endpapers).
A presentation copy of the first edition, inscribed by Tolstoy to his wayward favourite son Andrei: 'For Andriusha from father. Read, please, every morning. L. Tolstoy. 14 February 1906'. Andrei led a dissolute life, and had a weakness for women of all ranks. His father lectured him incessantly but with empathy, since Leo's own epiphany only came late in life. According to Andrei's nephew, Sergei Tolstoi, Leo 'loved Andrei perhaps more than his other sons, though he strongly disapproved of his behavior. He would say "I do not want to love him, but I love him because he is genuine"' (Tolstoi). The gift of this book, in which Tolstoy compiled wisdom for each day of the year, was one more attempt to encourage Andrei to mend his ways. It is, with its pleading inscription, the embodiment of a strained but loving relationship. Andrei paid no heed: the following year he abandoned his wife and two children, and eloped with the wife of the Governor of Tula – a friend of his father's – leaving him in the lurch with six children. Tolstoi, S. M. Les enfants de Tolstoi (Paris: 1989).
Two volumes, octavo (195 x 133mm). (Margins yellowed; occasional short marginal tears, and occasional light staining.) Contemporary burgundy quarter leather with cloth sides (spines worn; joints starting and held with clear tape; corners rubbed). Provenance: Leo Tolstoy (presentation inscription to:) – Andrei L'vovich Tolstoi (1877-1916) – Mariia Andreevna Tolstaia (1908-1993, Andrei's daughter; signature on the front endpapers).
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