(LEO TOLSTOY) Exceptional collection of over one hundred items from the family of iconic Russian author Leo Tolstoy, including 47 A.L.S.'s, ten T.L.S.'s (25 accompanied by holograph envelope), two signed photographs, greeting cards, pamphlets, flyers, newspaper clippings and more, mostly covering the period between 1930-1944. Twenty seven letters are signed by Countess ALEXANDRA TOLSTOY (1884-1979) including three signed using her rarely seen "Sasha". Another twenty seven letters are signed by NADIA TOLSTOY (including one rare signature variant, "Nadine Tolstoy "), and three letters signed by Count ILYA TOLSTOY (1866-1933). This archive covers the tragic period of poverty that befell the Tolstoy family, describing in several letters Ilya's illness and suffering up until his death. Nadia still finds time to joke "Come to see us...our happy but penniless family " (4/29/32). Nadia describes her descent into homelessness letter by letter: "We are living in Greystone [Yonkers, N.Y.], New Rochelle, N.Y., Hartford, Connecticut, New York City ", as they received help from various families. On July 4, 1933 she is frantic because the electric company has turned off power and the water is not working, By September 24, 1933, she writes "Count Ilya has taken a turn for the worse and the greatest specialists in America can find no cancer. The liver is more suspicious...but he is down to 125 lbs ". Despite her plight, Nadia still solicits coats and blankets to be distributed to needy friends (Oct. 16, 1933). One important letter, dated November 12, 1933 recounts Countess Alexandra disrupting Ilya's medical regimen by bringing in her own doctor, superceding Nadia. "It was all wrong...least to say impolite, rather rude. For what reason, only her darn friend rules. Even Count found it was all wrong...and is very discontented with her...I have a toothache and wish it fixed, but no money. We have three diamond rings, a golden cigarette case and golden watch with nugget in Pawn shop...I have no money to retrieve it...we will lose it!". By December 1933 she describes Ilya's decline and being treated as destitutes. Countess Alexandra's correspondence includes her creation of the renowned Tolstoy Foundation. One letter dated Dec. 17, 1933 describes Ilya's "beautiful Christian death " and her happiness in staying with him till his last breath. By Sept 12, 1934 she ends up on the "Farm" (present location of the foundation headquarters in Valley Cottage, NY) and the mayhem of chickens laying eggs all over the property. By June 11, 1935, she frantically writes about having heart problems and severe depression, saddened that she missed her last chance to see Jane Adams. Also in poverty, she writes on January 16, 1936 "There are only two of us on the farm...we cannot afford a helper ". Much more excellent content, including Alexandra's own writing, her relentless fundraising for "White Russians" displaced by war, and her campaign in promoting the premier of the motion picture for War and Peace. Far too much to describe here, this collection provides an insightful and ironic glimpse of Tolstoy's once-privileged children struggling in the U.S. for their very survival. Should be viewed. $2,000-3,000