Brat'ia Karamazovy [The Brothers Karamazov].

an excpetional copy in contemporary binding

A stunning example of the first edition in book form of of Dostoevsky's masterpiece. 'The most magnificent novel ever written' (Freud). The work was first published in serial form in The Russian Messenger between January 1879 and November 1880. Extremely rare in such a fine contemporary binding.

In a remarkably 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, 4 parts in 2 vols, 8vo; half-titles, without final blanks, vol. 2 p.659 short tear without text loss, vol. 2 with leaves cockled towards end, scattered foxing, contemporary navy morocco-backed cloth, spine gilt and titled in Russian, a near fine copy.

Kilgour 286.