"Anna Karenina" and "The Russian Proprietor" by Leo Tolstoy, with Introduction by Nathan Haskell Dole, 'Works of Tolstoy' published by Century Co., New York, 1911, complete in two volumes, copyright 1896 by Crowell; illustrated. [First American edition was published by Crowell in 1886].

Provenance:
From the library of Jessie Dew Ball DuPont with her signature on both endpapers.

Hard boards, original publisher's cloth [some wear and spine fading]; the volumes are 5.1/2" x 8.1/4"; "Jessie D. Ball - 1911" is ink written on the endpapers of both volumes; frontispieces in both volumes, viii + 835 pages + 5 illustrations, a little soiling, c. five pages of the first volume have 1/2" crease at the top blank edge [see photo]; pages next to the glossy plates are stained, a few page corner folds, very good condition.

Many writers consider "Anna Karenina" the greatest work of literature ever written, and Tolstoy himself called it his first true novel. It was initially released in serial installments from 1875 to 1877, all but the last part appearing in the periodical The Russian Messenger. The novel was first published in book form in 1878.

"Anna Karenina" was the first European novel raising the issue of the judicial and social discrimination of married women in the contemporary [Victorian] society.

"Tolstoy's Anna Karenina provides a great insight into a wide range of human emotions and weaknesses ‑ many of which are just as prevalent today as when the novel was first published in 1878. They include infidelity, paranoia, drug and alcohol abuse, obsessional ..." [from a review]

Provenance:
Jessie Deu (Ball) DuPont (1884-1970) was a lineal descendent of Mary Ball Washington, and the wife of Alfred I. duPont who founded E.I. duPont de Nemours and Co. and was one of the world's richest mean. Her home Epping Forest is now the National Historic Landmark.

DuPont Hall the central building of the fine arts complex at Mary Washington College, Fredericksburg, Va., is named for her. In 1946 she established the Lalla Gresham Ball Scholarship at the college in honor of her mother. Mrs. duPont and her sisters, Mrs. Albert Bowley of Washington and Mrs. Addison Baker of Richmond, donated funds for the library wing of the James Monroe Law Office here. The Virginia Museum, the University of the South, Washington and Lee University, Hollins College and the Alfred I. duPont Institute for the care of crippled children were also recipients of her largesse. In 1956, she was elected by the Virginia Chamber of Commerce for a special award for "her service to Virginia and to education in the Old Dominion."

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