7 3/4 x 5 1/4 in (19.7 x 13.5 cm)

Provenance and Authentication:
This lot is accompanied by supporting documentation provided with the item. Based on the accompanying documentation, the signature was reviewed in relation to factors such as ink characteristics, material aging, stylistic consistency, and historical context. The available materials relate to the signature, provenance, and authentication history of the piece and are offered for bidder review in accordance with the auction terms and conditions.

This signed copy of Childhood, Boyhood, Youth represents a profound and intimate artifact from the life and mind of Leo Tolstoy, one of the most influential literary and moral thinkers in world history. These early autobiographical works trace the formation of Tolstoy's consciousness, revealing the psychological and ethical foundations that would later culminate in masterpieces such as War and Peace and Anna Karenina.

The signature appears on a blank leaf and is accompanied by a clearly written date, "17 May 1899," an element of exceptional importance. Dated inscriptions by Tolstoy are especially prized, as they anchor the autograph to a precise moment during his later years, when his philosophical authority and global stature were fully established.

Tolstoy's handwriting is calm, deliberate, and restrained. The elongated letterforms, gentle rightward slant, and measured spacing align closely with documented examples of his late-period signing style. The simplicity of the inscription reinforces its authenticity of intent, conveying personal authorship rather than formality.

Within the realm of literary and philosophical collectibles, signed books by Leo Tolstoy occupy an elite and enduring position. Autographed examples of his own works, particularly when dated, are notably scarce. This volume offers collectors a direct and contemplative connection to the formative ideas of a writer whose influence transcended literature to shape modern moral thought.

ALL PROPERTY IS SOLD AS IS, WHERE IS, WITH NO RETURNS OR CANCELLATIONS.

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