1894 The Kingdom of God Is Within You by Leo Tolstoy | First English Edition – Two Volumes | William Heinemann

A highly desirable first English edition of The Kingdom of God is Within You by Leo Tolstoy translated from Russian by Constance Garnett and published in London by William Heinemann in 1894. Publisher’s note that this version was “made directly from Russian advance sheets sold to me by the publishers of the Russian original.” 

Issued in two complete volumes, this influential philosophical and theological work represents the culmination of Tolstoy’s mature religious thought and his doctrine of Christian non-resistance, a test that would later influence figures as Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr.

Bound in its original dark green publisher’s cloth, well-preserved, with gilt lettering to spines and gilt facsimile signature of Leo Tolstoy to the front boards. Small indentation (no tear to cloth) to Vol II front board(per photo). Bindings tight. Rough-cut edges. Clean pages. Several pages remain uncut, indicating the set has been lightly handled. Very light scattered foxing, heavier on prelims only. An early ink ownership inscription dated 1895 to front endpaper. 

Condition: Very Good 

Size: 5 1/2” x 7 3/4” 

This is a substantial and increasingly scarce Tolstoy first English edition, well suited to collectors of philosophy, religion, and landmark 19th century literature.