Prestuplenie i Nakazanie [Crime and Punishment].

A wonderful copy of and early edition of Dostoevsky's most famous novel. Crime and Punishment was first published in twelve monthly instalments in Russkii Vestnik in 1866, with the first separate edition appearing a year later.

This example is 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.

Fifth edition, 8vo (24.7 x 16.4 cm); half-title with ink ownership stamp, minor spotting to half-title and title, else incredibly fresh internally, bookplate of Albert McGill to front pastedown, contemporary half blue morocco, spine gilt in compartments with raised bands, title in gilt to second part, very light fading to spine, a near fine copy.