The Death of Ivan the Terrible: A Tragedy in Five Acts
London: F.B. Kitto, 1869.
First British edition. Inscribed by A.K. Tolstoy to "C. Heath Esq. from his sincere friend the author" on half-title, but not signed. Charles Heath was an English language and literature instructor at the Imperial Alexander Lyceum in Saint Petersburg, who later became one of the tutors of young Czar Nicholas II. xxxi, [v], 144 pp. Publisher's brown cloth ruled in black with gilt spine lettering, brown endpapers. A Near Fine copy with slightly bumped and exposed tips, slight lean. A rare inscription.
A historical drama in blank verse by Russian Count Aleksey Konstantinovich Tolstoy (1817-1875), second cousin of writer Leo Tolstoy, mainly known today for his 1841 horror novella The Vampire. He was one of the most influential Russian authors and playwrights of his time. He was also the personal aide-de-camp to Alexander II from 1856-1859. In his later years his influence with the czar declined and his works became more satirical; many of them such as this play were initially banned. Line p. 30.
Price: $2,000.00