*SOLD*

War and Peace
Leo Tolstoy
London, 1922-23
 
First edition, first printing of the gold-standard English translation of the vaunted novel – executed by Louise and Aylmer Maude. 3 volumes. Minor wear to spine ends, Vol.1 with a small tear at spine foot, else a Fine set with beautiful gilt spines. Decently well-represented in world libraries, but surprisingly scarce in the trade and no appearances in sales records.  
 
The couple “knew Tolstoy's pre-revolutionary Russia; she was born and educated there, and he spent many years in Moscow. They knew Tolstoy personally and had the benefit of consultation with him and his approval of their translations."(CC Classics) They would translate many of Tolstoy’s works, and their War and Peace is still the one most popularly used in new edition after new edition.