Witte, S. Yu. Memories (Vospominaniya), 1923. Vol. 1–2: The Reign of Nicholas II. In Russian.

Витте С. Ю. Воспоминания: [В 3-х томах]. Том 1-2: Царствование Николая II. / [Первое издание].
Москва — Петроград : Госиздат, 1923.
Т. I: 471 с. Т. II: 518 с. В двух твердых владельческих глухих переплетах, увеличенный формат. Состояние удовлетворительное.
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Witte, S. Yu. Memories (Vospominaniya): [In 3 volumes]. Vol. 1–2: The Reign of Nicholas II. / [First edition].
Moscow — Petrograd : Gosizdat, 1923.
Vol. I: 471 pp. Vol. II: 518 pp. In two hard, owner’s blind bindings, large format. Condition: Fair.

This 1923 edition, published by Gosizdat shortly after the Russian Revolution, is the first Soviet publication of the sensational memoirs of Count Sergey Witte (1849–1915). Witte was arguably the most influential statesman of late Imperial Russia, serving as the architect of the Great Siberian Way (Trans-Siberian Railway), the mastermind behind the 1897 gold standard reform, and the first Prime Minister under the new constitutional order of 1905.
Volumes I and II focus specifically on the Reign of Nicholas II, providing an unflinching, behind-the-scenes look at the twilight of the Romanov dynasty. Witte offers a firsthand account of the most critical turning points in Russian history: the tragic coronation at Khodynka Field, the diplomatic maneuvers of the Treaty of Portsmouth following the Russo-Japanese War, and the drafting of the October Manifesto, which introduced the first era of Russian parliamentarism.
Witte’s narrative is celebrated not only for its historical importance but for its psychological depth. He provides sharp, often biting portraits of his contemporaries, including Nicholas II, Stolypin, Plehve, and Kuropatkin. His analysis extends to global geopolitics, from secret projects concerning the Bosphorus to Russia's expansionist policies in the Far East. The memoirs remain a primary source for understanding the economic foundation of the Empire, particularly the industrial boom of the 1890s and the transition to a gold-backed ruble.
Written in a lively, candid, and accessible style, these memoirs were kept abroad during Witte's lifetime to avoid imperial censorship and were only published posthumously. This 1923 first edition is a bibliographical rarity, appearing during the early Soviet period when the new government sought to expose the "inner workings" of the Tsarist regime. Despite being in fair (satisfactory) condition and housed in owner's blind bindings, this set remains a cornerstone for any serious collection of Russian history and political memoirs.