Anna Karenina.

first edition of an enduring classic of Russian literature

Originally appearing in serialised form in Russkiy Vestnik between 1873 and 1878 Tolstoy had a dispute with its editor Mikhail Katkov before the last instalment was printed. This edition is therefore the first edition in book form and the first publication of the complete text.

In a handsome contemporary binding from the library of Albert McGill, a wealthy industrialist and part of the influential British community in 19th century Russia. The first McGills in Moscow were most-likely Albert's grandfather Robert McGill and his brother David, who emigrated from Paisley in the 1840s. The family is credited with starting the first mechanical and foundry works in Russia, as well playing an important role in the country's cotton mill industry. Just like any other British Family living in the 19th century Moscow, the McGill family was related by marriage to several other British families and Albert was no exception. His wife Eleonora McGill, née Gibson, was the daughter of Charles John Gibson or Karl Yakovlevich Gibson as he was known was director of the Nevsky Stearin Factory in Moscow which produced soap. The McGills donated the largest sum towards the construction of St Andrew's Anglican Church in Moscow which was completed in 1884.

First edition, 3 vols; 8vo (21 x 15.5 cm); 366pp. including title and half-title, 493pp. including title and half-title, 413pp. including title and half-title, vol.I p.215 with short closed tear to margin, vol.III closed tear in to text, the odd small stain and some scattered foxing, mostly to titles and margins, patterned endpapers; contemporary quarter dark green morocco over blue cloth, small marks to cloth else a very good set.

Kilgour 1196; Simmons, pp.340, 346-7