War and Peace
Leo Tolstoy
New York, 1886
 
First edition in English, first printing, export issue. The domestic issue was published in two volume increments starting on January 16, 1886 and continued in May and July. Gottsberger set aside an unknown number of these books for release in Europe with title pages bearing the imprint of their publishing partners in London, Paris, and Leipzig, and their versos stating intended circulation for Europe. They were sold as complete 6 volume sets in Europe no later than September(the Vizetelly London edition, long thought to be the first in English, was actually published later in October). These sets are much rarer than their ubiquitous American market counterparts - I’ve not seen another in the sales records.
 
Publisher's elaborately decorated brown cloth(the books were also available in wrappers), front boards gilt-stamped with Napoleonic and Russian Imperial crests, spines gilt-lettered, brown-coated endpapers. General wear and rubbing particularly to spines and spine ends(more so on the later volumes), occasional light foxing to fore-edges. Large armorial bookplates in all volumes(Rugby School of Warwickshire, England - birthplace of rugby football). Overall a Very Good, untouched set housed in a custom case. Parke-Bernet purchase receipt from June ’77.