TOLSTOY LEO: (1828-1910) Russian writer, regarded as one of the greatest authors of all time. A ...

TOLSTOY LEO: (1828-1910) Russian writer, regarded as one of the greatest authors of all time. A good L.S., `Leon Tolstoy´, two pages, oblong 8vo, n.p., also dated in Tolstoy´s hand, 14th June 1901, in French. Tolstoy responds to his correspondent about his request for authorizing the translation of his works, and initiates his letter stating `J´ai pour principe de ne donner aucune autorisation spéciale pour les traductions, ainsi que pour les adaptations pour la scene de mes ouvrages, de sorte que je regrette beaucoup de ne pouvoir concéder à votre désir´ (Translation: “It is my principle not to give any special authorization for translations, as well as for adaptations for the stage of my works, so that I very much regret not being able to grant your request”) Tolstoy further sends an honest but sharp comment explaining without doubts what he does or will do if he receives the manuscript from his correspondent, saying `Dans tous les cas ne cous donnez pas la peine de m´envoyer votre manuscript. Si même je le reçois, je ne le lirai pas et ainsi ne serai pas en état de formuler mon opinión sur le mérite de votre travail´ (Translation: “In any case, don't bother sending me your manuscript. Even if I receive it, I will not read it and thus will not be able to formulate my opinion on the merit of your work”) Paper with watermark. With blank integral leaf. Very small overall minor age wear with two very small stains, otherwise G

In 1901, the year of the present letter, the publication of Resurrection led to Tolstoy's excommunication by the Holy Synod from the Russian Orthodox Church. Resurrection, also translated as The Awakening, was the last novel written by Tolstoy. The book was the last of his major long fiction works published in his lifetime. Tolstoy intended the novel as a panoramic view of Russia at the end of the 19th century from the highest to the lowest levels of society and an exposition of the injustice of man-made laws and the hypocrisy of the institutionalized church.