Astolphe de Custine - La Russie en 1839 - 1843

CUSTINE (Marquis Astolphe de)

Russia in 1839.

Brussels, Belgian Typographic Society, 1843.

8 volumes in 2 volumes, 12mo (13.5 x 9 cm), half dark morocco (binding of the period), smooth decorated spine, library label at the tail of the spine, 179; 187; 173; 182; 162; 156; 152; 179; 160 pages (complete). Corners and spine worn, hinges cracked. Overall acceptable condition.

Belgian edition, published the same year in Paris in octavo, then in duodecimo.

The book enjoyed immense success (nearly 20 editions in 4 languages in a little over 10 years!) and as many defenders as detractors (including Balzac, who was staying in Russia at the time). Written in epistolary form, three years after the journey, Custine offers his impressions, with such accuracy and political analysis that it verges on prescience.

Good copy.