Russian novelist and moral philosopher who wrote the great novels War and Peace and Anna Karenina. He advocated a classless, self-sufficient society that prized love and charity above economics. Practicing his beliefs, the aristocrat renounced his worldly possessions to live virtually penniless among the peasants he loved, and in 1910, seeking to get closer to God, he abandoned his home and family. Leaving home secretly and accompanied only by his physician and a daughter, he died in a remote railway station only a few days later of pneumonia. ALS signed 'L. Tolstoy' in Cyrillic, one page, 5.5 x 3.5, April 8, 1900. Tolstoy writes to his friend and translator Alymer Maude: 'All names are true, except that Tarda spells Tarde. Give your wife and everyone my friendly greetings. What about the children? I have not heard anything about them in a long time.' In fine condition, with even light toning, small postmark over a couple words of text and two punch holes to right side. COA John Reznikoff/University Archives and RRAuction COA.
