Lot 1455
Tolstoy, Leo (1828-1910). Russian author, his War and Peace is an epic tale, considered by many to be the greatest novel ever written.
Signed Photographic Postcard ("Leo Tolstoy"). Black and white, 3¼ X 5½", n.p., "18 Avr. 1907". Verso addressed to Monsieur Friedenstein of Vienna, incomplete Russian postmark. The top right corner shows an odd defect on the light field -- the surface is uneven with a small amount of off-color tone, but it does not appear that the piece has been altered or restored. Possibly the flaw is a result of faulty paper during production. The overall appearance of the piece is very good.
An 1896 image of Tolstoy, signed just three years before his death. By this point in his life, Tolstoy was trying to live as the peasant he is pictured as here -- the spiritual and moral crisis he faced in the 1870s culminated in a series of religious and philosophical writings and his decision to divest himself of possessions and earthly pleasures. Tolstoy was eventually excommunicated by the Russian Orthodox Church (1901), but was visited by pilgrims from all over the world who were inspired by his new asceticism.
Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,500.
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| Realized $1,208 |
