Tolstoyan Anti-War Publication Featuring the Writings of Tolstoy, Maupassant, and Mackay with Art by Emile Holarek, 1907

Leo Tolstoy / Maupassant

First Edition

[Literature] [Art] Chertkov, Vladimir, et al. 1907 represents one of the most visually forceful Tolstoyan critiques of militarism produced in the decade before World War I and reflects the transnational pacifist networks surrounding Leo Tolstoy during his final years. Edited by Tolstoy’s close associate Vladimir Chertkov and illustrated by Czech artist Emile Holarek, the volume integrates literary excerpts from Tolstoy, Guy de Maupassant, Charles Mackay, and others with allegorical and documentary imagery condemning war, religious nationalism, and state violence. It supports research in peace movements, Christian anarchism, visual propaganda, prewar European dissent, and radical religious publishing.

Chertkov, Vladimir, and Holarek, Emile. War. Christchurch, Hants: The Free Age Press, 1907. First edition. Illustrated red wrappers. Folio. A stark and visceral anti-war publication composed of allegorical and documentary drawings by Czech artist Emile Holarek, interwoven with selections from the writings of Leo Tolstoy, Guy de Maupassant, Charles Mackay, and others. Edited by Tolstoy’s disciple and English publisher Vladimir Chertkov, this rare example of early twentieth-century pacifist propaganda was part of a broader Tolstoyan publishing initiative launched in exile. The book is accompanied by a loosely inserted handbill letter of endorsement from Tolstoy, dated 24 December 1900, praising The Free Age Press’s accessibility to working-class readers and emphasizing the moral necessity of copyright-free literature.

Through uncompromising graphic allegory and scathing textual commentary, War presents the horrors of militarism, the spiritual hypocrisy of religious nationalism, and the corrupt symbiosis between church and state. Holarek’s etchings expose the machinery of violence in both sweeping and intimate terms—from the image of a demonic figure herding anonymous soldiers into the jaws of a beast titled The Victims of Moloch, to scenes of devastated civilian families (The Mobilization of the Reservists) and emaciated corpses (After the Battle). These are juxtaposed with images of societal sanctification of war (The Commander’s Reward, The Christian Army), critiques of militarized science (Science for Science’s Sake), and depictions of unequal moral accountability (The Murderer of Many vs. The Ordinary Murderer). One image entitled Christians portrays Jesus turning away as crusaders, kings, and soldiers offer their weapons in his name. The result is an indictment of nationalism cloaked in divine justification and a fervent call for Christian anarchism and pacifism, reflecting the radical ideals that animated Tolstoy’s final decades. Poems by Isabella Fyvie Mayo and Charles Mackay further elevate the volume’s literary and emotional impact.

Heavy chipping and closed tears along page edges and corners, affecting margins but not illustrations or text. A 5" closed tear to the first leaf and partial separation of text block from wrappers. General soiling and toning throughout. Most pages disbound. With printed red wrappers intact but fragile, featuring Holarek’s signature illustration of Moloch. Includes rare laid-in printed letter from Tolstoy praising the press’s mission. Overall a good only copy of a scarce, politically urgent Tolstoyan production that remains one of the most graphic critiques of early twentieth-century Christian militarism in visual print.

Item #22047

Price: $880.00