first publication

A complete copy of the Biblioteka dlia Chteniya December issue featuring the first appearance in print of the Tolstoy's story about degraded soldiers that he personally met during his trip to Caucasus. The work was originally called 'Из Кавказских воспоминаний. Разжалованный' ['From the Caucasus Memories. The Degraded'], but it didn't pass censorship and as a result, the story was published in the 'Library for Reading' magazine under the current title.

Biblioteka dlia Chteniya [Library for Reading] was a Russian monthly periodical published in Saint Petersburg between 1834 and 1865.

8vo (24.5 x 17 cm). VIII, 86, 73-182, 93-162, 93-120, 121-162, 31-64, 29-82, 115-216, 3-4, IV, [8] pp.; occasional spotting. Pagination as per index, complete copy. Contemporary half-calf over marbled boards, flat spine with gilt lettering, original wrappers bound in; extremities rubbed, boards worn.