Russian novelist and moral philosopher (1828–1910) best known for his epic novels War and Peace and Anna Karenina. Vintage 5 x 7.25 book photo of the elderly and bearded Tolstoy, signed and inscribed in the lower border in fountain pen by Tolstoy, and dated October 22, 1909. In fine condition, with a tiny tear to right edge, small stain to lower edge, and portions of the writing a shade or two light, but completely legible.
Just a few weeks before he signed this image, Tolstoy began a correspondence with Gandhi, with the duo exchanging views on the unrest in India and at one point Tolstoy noting that the “fight between gentleness and brutality, between humility and love on one side, and conceit and violence on the other, makes itself ever more strongly felt here.” Purportedly, Tolstoy’s rejection of modern industrial society had helped shape Gandhi’s own views on communal living. This same year, Tolstoy was also invited to attend the International Peace Congress in Sweden, an invitation that the famed pacifist—and anarchist—accepted, much to surprise of event organizers. Tolstoy is quite scarce, particularly in signed photos. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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