ALS signed “Your friend and brother, Leo Tolstoy,” two pages, 5.25 x 8.25, no date, but postmarked November 15, 1899. Letter to friends at the Brotherhood Church in Leeds, England. Written in English, the letter reads in full: “It is a great joy for me to know that I have so many friends in England. God help you to persevere in your enterprise. The efforts that are necessary for it’s [sic] success seem to be so insignificant: only patience, humility, goodwill and forgiveness of the fault of others, that we are inclined to overlook such efforts are the greatest that can be attained in the world. I wish I could be with you, not that I could help you but that I could work and live with brothers of the same faith.” In very good condition, with several moderate intersecting folds and creases, several lightly affecting signature, scattered soiling and foxing, heavier to the first page, and several pencil notations to top of first page. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope, as well as a 1971 receipt from dealer Walter Benjamin, who sold the letter for $500.
The origins of the Brotherhood Church can be traced to 1887 when a young preacher named John Bruce Wallace, who was influenced by Tolstoy and his ideals, most notably his denunciation of war and a desire for simple, peaceful, coexistence, launched 'The Brotherhood' magazine. Tolstoy, while not a believer in God’s divinity, had faith in the moral teachings of Jesus Christ and here took time to wish his ‘disciples’ success, in the hope that it would lead to “the greatest that can be attained in the world.” Ironically, a decade later the sect became more dispersed with some elements focusing more on Tolstoy’s anarchist viewpoints. Desirable evidence of the author’s ‘blessings’ given to those who chose to live by the teachings of Christ and also those exemplified by Tolstoy. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
$75.00
*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.
We use cookies on this site to improve your experience. By using this site, you accept our use of cookies. To learn more, please see our Privacy Policy.
