The Russian Revolution

Tolstoy, Leo

Published by The Free Age Press, Christchurch Hants, 1907

About this Item

88 pages all original 15 x 22 cms printed by Everett & Co on fragile paper (see images). Disbound. Lacks cover. Sewn binding a little loose. Contains four early original Tolstoy essays, as follows: 1. "The Meaning of the Russian Revolution". 52 pp., 2. "What's To Be Done?". 8 pp., 3. "An Appeal to Russians". 15 pp., 4. "Letter to a Chinese Gentleman". 10 pp. A very considerable rarity in the original. The background to this publication is that Tolstoy's secretary, a Vladimir Chertkov, was exiled by the Russian government in 1897. He traveled to England. Tolstoy was at first distressed at his departure. He missed the devotion of his most intimate disciple; and also worried for him: It was said of Chertkov that he was even more Tolstoyan than Tolstoy, but his time in England was entirely spent in promoting his master's cause. Chertkov put his money, energy and leadership skills into the remarkable Free Age Press. Over the next few years, this small press concentrated on Tolstoy's banned writing. Its propagating work was then carried on by the publisher C. W. Daniel, also a fan of Tolstoy, and who acquired the rights of the Free Age Press around 1906, just prior to our publication. Daniel visited Tolstoy in 1909. So our publication date puts it just after the Russian Revolution of 1905 and right in the middle of these events. [Vladimir Grigoryevich Chertkov, 1854 - 1936, was the editor of the works of Leo Tolstoy, and one of the most prominent Tolstoyans. After the revolution of 1917, Chertkov was instrumental in creating the United Council of Religious Communities and Groups, which eventually came to administer the Russian SFSR's conscientious objection program]. See also our other Tolstoy ABE Listings: # 006032 "More Tales from Tolstoi". 1902., and # 006033 "True and False Life". 1903., # 006034 "King Assarhadon". All from the same provenence. Seller Inventory # 006029

Bibliographic Details

Title: The Russian Revolution

Publisher: The Free Age Press, Christchurch Hants

Publication Date: 1907

Binding: Soft cover

Condition: Good

Edition: First And Only.