TOLSTOY, LEO. AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED, TO HIS TRANSLATOR, R. LEWENFELD

2 pages (5 1/4 x 8 3/8 in.; 134 x 213 mm) on paper, written recto and verso in Russian in black ink, affixed to card. [Dated 16 August 1893 in another hand], and signed "L. Tolstoy"; one or two stray spots, one or two letters just concealed by tape.  a letter written in some haste, following up from a telegram, Tolstoy explains the urgent necessity of stopping the printing of Chapter 12 of the book, containing descriptions of an execution in Orel, urging that if it has been printed, it should be pulped and the type destroyed and replaced by enclosed sections (not included), gives reasons why this should happen, though in a guarded way, explains the adverse effect the publication of these materials has had on international relations with Russia and his wish to alter the material to counter this …This is important not only for avoiding unpleasantness and for the success of the book, but also for my conscience. Due to the indiscretion of one of my friends who gave this chapter to an English correspondent, the description of the execution in Orel has been printed and reprinted in many newspapers. This narration created a sensation in Russian government spheres and the whole book is falsely interpreted as a denunciation of the Russian conduct of administration…I urgently ask you to make these corrections in the German translation as well as in the Russian text. Your failure to carry out my wish will cause me much distress…[translation]