36 résultats
188947337Macmillan 1889. 8vo. Second Edition; red pebble-grain cloth upper board ruled in blind and blocked in gilt gilt back uncut joints mildly rubbed backstrip dulled but all gilt wholly legible backstrip chafed at head else a good bright clean copy. With 4pp publisher's catalogue at end. Collects five of Hardy's finest short stories: An Imaginative Woman The Three Strangers The Withered Arm Fellow-Townsmen Interlopers at the Knap and The Distracted Preacher. The work was never reprinted in its original two-volume form 1888. Macmillan reissued the collection in one volume in an edition of 1500 copies in late February 1889. See Purdy p.60. Macmillan, hardcover
188829205London: Macmillan and Co. 1888. 2 volumes. First edition. A publisher's presentation copy with their purple "Compliments" stamp to Vol. I. 8vo in the scarce original dark blue/green cloth the boards with ruled lines in light green the spines also ruled in light green and with letting in gilt. Now housed in a fine custom clamshell box. 247; 212 pp. A fine set and scarce in the publisher's cloth this a very rare "Publishers' Compliments" copy. The text clean and fresh the binding bright with only a tiny bit of age or wear. A SCARCE HARDY TITLE IN ORIGINAL CLOTH THERE WERE ONLY 750 COPIES PRINTED AND OF THOSE ONLY 634 WERE BOUND the rest of the sheets were remaindered. This copy is not only very unusual for its exceptional and bright condition but also for being a publisher's presentation copy.<br> The work consists of five stories The Three Strangers The Withered Arm Fellow-Townsmen Interlopers at the Knap and The Distracted Preacherpreviously published only in serials. In the various short stories Hardy writes of the true nature of nineteenth-century marriage and its inherent restrictions the use of grammar as a diluted form of thought the disparities created by the role of class status in determining societal rank the stance of women in society and the severity of even minor diseases causing the rapid onset of fatal symptoms prior to the introduction of sufficient medicinal practices. A focal point of all the short stories is that of social constraints acting to diminish one's contentment in life necessitating unwanted marriages repression of true emotion and succumbing to melancholia due to constriction within the confines of 19th-century perceived normalcy. Macmillan and Co. hardcover
189823362New York and London: Harper and Brothers 1898. First Edition. With 30 illustrations by the author. 8vo publisher’s original blue ribbed cloth the spine lettered in gilt upper cover with Hardy’s floral monogram device in gilt. xi 228 pp. A very handsome and pleasing copy internally very fine and essentially pristine the cloth very well preserved spine just a tad mellowed. FIRST EDITION IN THE ORIGINAL CLOTH. A lovely copy of Hardy’s first significant publishing venture as a poet. Though better known now as a novelist Hardy rated poetry above fiction. Like many of his novels the landscapes of Dorset echoes throughout his writing. The poetry is scarce unadorned and surprisingly modern. Though first published in 1898 it contains poems he’d been working on since the 1860s. Harper and Brothers hardcover
187229198London: Tinsley Brothers 1872. 2 volumes. Rare First edition. A Copy with Interesting Provenance in the circles of American commerce and finance. 8vo handsomely bound in antique full maroon morocco for Sawyer of Grafton Street London the boards with a triple gilt ruled frame the spines with gilt stippled raised bands and gilt framed compartments two of which are lettered in gilt additional gilt lettering at the foot of the spine panels gilt ruled board edges gilt tooled turn-ins marbled endpapers and t.e.g. 215; 216 pp. A very handsome set the bindings with only a little light aging all very solid and firm and very attractive the text also fine with just a hint of age mellowing. THE FIRST OF THE GREAT SERIES OF WESSEX NOVELS THE AUTHOR'S SECOND PUBLISHED NOVEL AND THE LAST TO BE PUBLISHED WITHOUT HIS NAME. QUITE RARE Purdy presumed the print run to be only about 500 copies. It is an important precursor to Hardy's major works. The Wessex rustics who play critical roles in Hardy's later novels such as The Return of the Native and The Mayor of Casterbridge claim the centre stage as they debut here.<br> This copy with the bookplates of noted book collector and "the most colorful and attractive figure in the commercial banking world" Albert Henry Wiggin of Greenwich who in 1941 donated several thousand pieces of his collection to the Boston Public Library. Also with the bookplates of Connecticut banker Lynde Selden vice-chairman of the board of American Express from 1941 to 1956. Tinsley Brothers hardcover
18738293Henry Holt New York 1873. 8vo. First US Edition Later Issue; original pictorial mustard cloth blocked and lettered in black backstrip lettered in gilt and black very neatly rebacked with old backstrip laid down original printed endpapers wholly preserved covers very lightly age-soiled but every detail of the blocking bright and clear corners very lightly bruised without material damage a remarkably bright clean copy. HARDY'S FIRST BOOK PUBLISHED IN THE US AND THE SECOND EDITION OF THE WORK OVERALL. Hardy's second novel 'Under the Greenwood Tree' was first published by Tinsley in 1872 one of the 'best press-noticed' books sold by that publisher. Under the terms of Tinsley's new agreement with Holt of New York it was then issued by the latter in their popular 'Leisure House' series in June 1873 the first of Hardy's works to be so issued in the US. His first novel 'Desperate Remedies' 1871 did not appear in the series until March 1874. From the series catalogue present on the front endpapers it is clear that this is a later issue at least 1881 since the list includes 'A Laodician'. Most volumes in the 'Leisure Hour' series were severally reissued with updated endpapers. This copy has been expertly rebacked. The original elaborately blocked backstrip is virtually complete with just a few millimetres missing at extreme head and tail. The original endpapers which carry a detailed catalogue of the 'Leisure Hour' series catalogue printed in red are all complete and virtually unmarked. The top edge is mildly dust-soiled but this does not extend to the text which also shows practically no trace of the usual foxing and spotting. A NOTABLE COPY AND A RARE SURVIVAL. See Purdy p.8 et seq. NCBEL III 981. Henry Holt, New York, hardcover
188229199London: Sampson Low Marston Searle & Rivington 1882. 3 volumes. Scarce First Edition. 8vo in handsome near contemporary three-quarter tan morocco over wove cloth boards the spines with gilt stippled raised bands between gilt framed compartments four compartments with central gilt tools two gilt lettered additional gilt rules at the tips and lettering at the tail softly marbled end-leaves t.e.g. 246; 240; 223 pp. A very appealing and handsome set quite fine internally with far less then typically mellowing to the paper and that only at the edges the original half-titles retained the antique bindings with only trivial evidence of age sturdy and sound with fine and firm hinges. first Edition one of Hardy's Wessex novels set in a parallel version of late Victorian Dorset. It is a tale of star-crossed love in which the unhappily married Lady Constantine breaks all the rules of social decorum when she falls in love with Swithin St. Cleeve an astronomer who is ten years her junior. Her husband's death leaves the lovers free to marry but the discovery of a legacy forces them apart. This is Hardy's most complete treatment of the theme of love across the class and age divide and the fullest expression of his fascination with science and astronomy.<br> Because the book defied the social norms of the day upon release it was called shocking and even repulsive by some critics. Hardy wrote in a letter to Edmund Gosse on 10 Dec 1882 “I get most extraordinary criticisms of T. on a T. Eminent critics write & tell me in private that it is the most original thing I have done.while other eminent critics I wonder if they are the same print the most cutting rebukes you can conceive—show me to my amazement that I am quite an immoral person.†Sampson, Low, Marston, Searle & Rivington hardcover
188225721London: Sampson Low Marston Searle & Rivington 1882. 3 volumes. Scarce first edition. 8vo bound by Zaehnsdorf in near contemporary three-quarter blue morocco over blue marbled boards the spines are gilt lettered in two compartments and have wide gilt decorated raised bands t.e.g. the original blue cloth to the upper cover and spine of Volume I has been retained and bound in. Now housed in a fine morocco backed foldover protective case. 246; 240; 223 pp. A very pleasing and handsome set quite fine internally with just a bit of normal age mellowing to the text the original half-titles retained the antique bindings with some light evidence of age or use at the joints and extremities. first Edition one of Hardy's Wessex novels set in a parallel version of late Victorian Dorset. It is a tale of star-crossed love in which the unhappily married Lady Constantine breaks all the rules of social decorum when she falls in love with Swithin St. Cleeve an astronomer who is ten years her junior. Her husband's death leaves the lovers free to marry but the discovery of a legacy forces them apart. This is Hardy's most complete treatment of the theme of love across the class and age divide and the fullest expression of his fascination with science and astronomy.<br> Because the book defied the social norms of the day upon release it was called shocking and even repulsive by some critics. Hardy wrote in a letter to Edmund Gosse on 10 Dec 1882 “I get most extraordinary criticisms of T. on a T. Eminent critics write & tell me in private that it is the most original thing I have done.while other eminent critics I wonder if they are the same print the most cutting rebukes you can conceive—show me to my amazement that I am quite an immoral person.†Sampson, Low, Marston, Searle & Rivington hardcover
189025541London: Spencer Blackett 1890. First edition and being the first of Hardy's short story "The Melancholy Hussar of The German Legion". 8vo bound in contemporary three-quarter blue morocco and marbled boards gilt lettered in two compartments of spine wide gilt decorated raised bands t.e.g. Now housed in a fine custom clamshell box backed in blue morocco and gilt lettered. 211pp. The textblock in fine state being clean and uncommonly fresh solid and free of spotting or toning completely the antique binding a bit rubbed at the joints but still firm and sound at the lower spine tip there is a roughly three-quarter in chip to the leather. THE FIRST EDITION IN BOOK FORM OF THOMAS HARDY'S SHORT STORY WHICH WOULD LATER APPEAR IN "LIFE'S LITTLE IRONIES." It is also the first edition of the works by John Campbell and Annie Hector Alexander. <br> 'The Melancholy Hussar' first appeared in the Bristol Times but this is the first appearance in book form. It is an uncommon item for the Hardy collector to acquire. Spencer Blackett hardcover
189651404Osgood McIlvaine & Co. 1896. 8vo. First Edition thus on laid paper with etched frontispiece original tissue guard presentand full-page map of Wessex in the text tiny contemporary signature on blank preliminary; original decorative green ribbed cloth gilt 'TH' monogram blocked in gilt on upper cover gilt back gilt top uncut case with slight lean else a very good bright clean crisp copy. With the small contemporary trade ticket of Mullan of Belfast on front paste-down. 'Wessex Novels' 1895-6 published by Osgood McIlvaine is the the first uniform and complete edition of Hardy's works. Each of the sixteen volumes has an etched frontispiece by Macbeth-Raeburn depicting a scene from the novel drawn on the spot in this case 'The Country of the Woodlanders' and a map of Wessex drawn by Hardy himself. In terms of book production these are undoubtedly the finest trade editions of Hardy's works. Sheets of the Osgood edition with an altered title-page were published in the USA by Harpers Osgood's successors. See Purdy pp.279-282. ALL VOLUMES OF THIS SERIES ARE SCARCE ESPECIALLY IN THIS CONDITION. Osgood, McIlvaine & Co., hardcover
188729220London: Macmillan 1887. 3 volumes. First edition. First issue in first binding state with the called for advertisement leaf at the end of Vol. I. 8vo original dark green very-fine bead-grain cloth blocked in black and lettered in gold; with dark chocolate end papers. In green slipcase. iv 302 ads; iv 328; iv 316. Half-titles in each. A nice copy with less than the usual normal wear or rubbing to the cloth and end papers. FIRST EDITION IN THE ORIGINAL CLOTH. First published in MACMILLAN’S MAGAZINE this is a novel of unrequited love set in the country near the Blackmoor Vale of Dorset. It is a tragic tale of the consequences resulting from the quest for status among the country people. <br> In THE WOODLANDERS as in all his work Thomas Hardy is concerned with one thing seen under two aspects; not civilization nor manners but the principle of life itself invisibly realized in humanity as sex seen visibly in the world as what we call nature. He is.a determinist and he studies the workings of fate or law ruling through inexorable moods or humours in the chief vivifying and disturbing influence in life women. His view of women is more french than English; it is subtle a little cruel.thoroughly a man's point of view and not man's and woman's at once.No one has created more attractive women of a certain class women whom a man would have been more likely to love or to regret loving. In The Woodlanders women are allowed more liberty with a franker treatment of instinct and its consequences. Macmillan hardcover
18876350Macmillan 1887. 3 vols. 8vo. First Edition some very light spotting on half-titles on advertisement leaf and rear free endpaper of first volume and on final page of text and rear free endpaper of third volume; original dark-green buckram-grain cloth blocked in black with double frame border enclosing an inner frame border with radial corners gilt backs chocolate-brown endpapers uncut very neatly rebacked to style with original backstrips lightly chipped at heads and tails laid down a very good bright clean copy housed in a custom-made mid-green cloth slip-case lettered in gilt and with inner ribbon-pull. ONE OF MACMILLAN'S FEW PRESENTATION COPIES with neat 'With the Publisher's Compliments' stamp in ink on upper margins of titles. With the advertisement leaf in vol. I as called for. 'The Woodlanders' was published in an edition of 1000 copies on 15 March 1887. Only 860 copies were bound up in this primary binding; the remaining copies were bound in the similar but less detailed secondary binding and remaindered by the publisher by the end of June of the same year. It was never reprinted in three-volume form. A pencilled note on rear free endpaper indicates that the sympathetic rebacking was effected by George Bayntun of Bath. Written at Max Gate 'The Woodlanders' was referred to by Hardy as 'his best and his own favourite among his novels'. See Purdy p.54-57. Macmillan, hardcover
18979642Osgood McIlvaine 1897. 8vo. First Edition on laid paper with etched frontispiece original tissue guard present and double-page map in the text endpapers mildly age-marked neat signature on frontispiece recto; original series binding of decorative ribbed dark-green cloth gilt 'TH' monogram blocked in gilt on upper cover gilt back gilt top uncut one or two small age-marks on covers else a bright firm copy. WIth the trade ticket of Blackwell's of Oxford on front paste-down and blind-stamp of Lyel of Hull on front free endpaper. Hardy's last novel and his final prose work beyond two or three short sketches written to fulfil engagements. See 'The Later Years p.60. Osgood's 'Wessex Novels' is the first uniform and complete edition of Hardy's works. 'The edition is an important one. The text of every novel was thoroughly and carefully revised the topography names and distances corrected where necessary chapters frequently retitled and much rewriting done. In addition Hardy prepared a special preface for each volume' Purdy p.281. Each of the sixteen volumes has an etched frontispiece by Macbeth-Raeburn depicting a scene from the novel drawn on the spot in this case 'The 'Isle' of the Story' and a map of Wessex drawn by Hardy himself. In terms of book production these are undoubtedly the finest trade editions of Hardy's works. Although published by Hardy's subsequent publisher Macmillan the present volume was produced in matching format as 'Volume XVIII' to retain uniformity the last volume of Hardy's work to be so issued. Several of Hardy's subsequent works were published in matching format as here and allocated appropriate volume numbers. All volumes in this series are scarce especially in this condition. See Purdy pp.92-96 281. [Osgood McIlvaine], hardcover
189743855Osgood McIlvaine & Co. 1897. 8vo. First Edition thus on laid paper with etched frontispiece original tissue guard present and full-page map in the text endpapers lightly spotted; original series binding of decorative dark-green ribbed cloth gilt 'TH' monogram blocked in gilt on upper cover gilt back gilt top uncut a remarkably bright clean copy. With two relevant cuttings mounted on rear endpapers. Osgood's 'Wessex Novels' is the first uniform and complete edition of Hardy's works. 'The edition is an important one. The text of every novel was thoroughly and carefully revised the topography names and distances corrected where necessary chapters frequently retitled and much rewriting done. In addition Hardy prepared a special preface for each volume' Purdy p.281; here the Preface is particularly important for its indication of sources. Each of the sixteen volumes has an etched frontispiece by Macbeth-Raeburn depicting a scene from the novel drawn on the spot in this case 'The Budmouth Harbour of the Story' and a map of Wessex drawn by Hardy himself. In terms of book production these are undoubtedly the finest trade editions of Hardy's works. ALL VOLUMES IN THIS SERIES ARE SCARCE ESPECIALLY IN THIS CONDITION. See Purdy pp.35 281. [Osgood McIlvaine & Co.], hardcover
188029016London: Smith Elder and Co. 1880. 3 volumes. First edition. 8vo in the publisher's original and Purdy's primary binding of red cloth the upper cover lettered and paneled to produce two vignettes from drawings by Hardy all in black the spines lettered and decorated with sword and trumpet in gilt and black and with the two line ruled borders on the rear covers in blind. Housed in a blue cloth-coverd clamshell box with morocco label gilt lettered. ii vi 296; ii vi 276; ii vi 259 pp. A very handsome set the bindings attractive and fresh expert and unobtrusive refurbishment at the spine tips the text-block tight and quite clean and fresh essentially no spotting whatsoever and only the lightest age mellowing a very pleasing set indeed. THE FIRST EDITION OF HARDY'S EPIC NOVEL OF THE NAPOLEONIC WAR A VERY ATTRACTIVE SET IN ORIGINAL CLOTH. Purdy notes the edition was printed in only 1000 copies. The cover illustrations were designed by Hardy and feature two vignettes one of an encampment on a river which leads down to the second of a mill. Hardy wrote the story to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Trafalgar it was first printed in an abridged form in "Good Words". It is Hardy's only historical novel. Smith, Elder and Co. hardcover
189721960Osgood McIlvaine 1897. 8vo. First Edition thus on laid paper with an etched frontispiece original tissue guard present and a full-page map in the text endpapers moderately spotted; original series binding of decorative dark-green ribbed cloth gilt 'TH' monogram blocked in gilt on upper cover gilt back gilt top uncut a remarkably bright clean copy. Osgood's 'Wessex Novels' is the first uniform and complete edition of Hardy's works. 'The edition is an important one. The text of every novel was thoroughly and carefully revised the topography names and distances corrected where necessary chapters frequently retitled and much rewriting done. In addition Hardy prepared a special preface for each volume' Purdy p.281; here the Preface is particularly important for its indication of sources. Each of the sixteen volumes has an etched frontispiece by Macbeth-Raeburn depicting a scene from the novel drawn on the spot in this case 'The Budmouth Harbour of the Story' and a map of Wessex drawn by Hardy himself. In terms of book production these are undoubtedly the finest trade editions of Hardy's works. All volumes in this series are scarce especially in this condition. See Purdy pp.35 281. Osgood McIlvaine, hardcover
1878014657London: Smith Elder & Co 1878. Volume 1 & 2 only. Books measure 19.5x14.cm. vi 303ppvi 297pp 2pp booklist half titles present fronts map in volume 1. Bound in original publishers brown cloth with black and gilt tooling. Both volumes rubbed worn with some loss hinge joints split. Internally inscription library bookplate endpaper joints split pages slightly loose. Both volumes in good condition. If you have volume 3 in the same cloth binding I would be interesed in purchasing. F. Cloth. Good Plus. 8vo. Smith Elder & Co Hardcover
189550894Harpers 1895. 8vo. First Edition thus on laid paper with etched frontispiece and full-page map of Wessex in the text endpapers lightly spotted; original decorative green ribbed cloth gilt 'TH' monogram blocked in gilt on upper cover gilt back gilt top uncut upper hinge cracked but binding entirely sound a very good bright clean crisp copy. 'Wessex Novels' 1895-6 published by Osgood McIlvaine UK and Harpers USA is the the first uniform and complete edition of Hardy's works. Each of the sixteen volumes has an etched frontispiece by Macbeth-Raeburn depicting a scene from the novel drawn on the spot in this case 'Egdon Heath' and a map of Wessex drawn by Hardy himself. In terms of book production these are undoubtedly the finest trade editions of Hardy's works. Sheets of the Osgood edition with an altered title-page were published in the USA by Harpers Osgood's successors. See Purdy pp.279-282. ALL VOLUMES OF THIS SERIES ARE SCARCE ESPECIALLY IN THIS CONDITION. Harpers, hardcover
187829000London: Smith Elder and Company 1878. 3 volumes. First edition and with the first issue state of the title-page to Vol. I. A COPY WITH FINE PROVENANCE FROM THE DOHENY COLLECTION WITH THE FINE MOROCCO LABELS GILT OF ESTELLE DOHENY AT THE PASTEDOWNS. With a cartographic frontispiece in the first volume drawn by Hardy. 8vo in the publisher's original brown fine-ribbed cloth with panels and simple ornaments blocked in black on the upper boards; the lower boards with a simple blind-stamped double ruled border the spines attractively lettered and decorated in gilt and black Purdy's first issue binding which is Sadleir's second. Now housed together in a single morocco backed slipcase with chemise the spine tooled and decorated as a three volume set of books. ii vi 304; ii vi 297 298 ad leaf; ii vi 320. A pleasing set in fully original state the original cloth still bright with vivid decoration. Some of the expected rubbing along the edges and tips the volumes just a touch shaken but the set fully unsophisticated and with no repairs or restoration the textblocks still quite fresh. A rare work in the original cloth. A VERY HANDSOME AND PROPER SET IN FULLY ORIGINAL STATE AND WITH THE VERY FINE PROVENANCE OF THE DOHENY COLLECTION. THE RETURN OF THE NATIVE was written at Riverside Villa Sturnmonster Newton though probably finished at Upper Tooting where the Hardys took a house in March of 1878. The first seven chapters were written by the summer of 1877 and the first two books by November and serial publication was begun in Chatto and Windus's "Belgravia" in January 1878. <br> Hardy had offered the novel to Leslie Stephen for the "Cornhill" magazine but the latter feared that the novel's personal relations were developing into something too dangerous for a family magazine and he refused to begin a serial publication without seeing the completed work. Since this was not possible Hardy's association with Stephen as editor was ended and Smith Elder and Co. agreed on 20 September to publish the finished novel. The book was published in November of 1878 in an edition of only 1000 copies. It was never again reprinted in three-volume format. Smith, Elder and Company hardcover
187534279London: The Cornhill Magazine Smith Elder and Co. 1875-1876. 11 volumes. First Edition of the original issue presented in original format in the eleven volumes issued over the course of months from July 1875 through May 1876. With eleven attractive wood-engraved plates after George Du Maurier. Tall octavo in the publisher's original wrappers all decorated on the front and rear covers with a great profusion of ads throughout. Now housed in two fine morocco backed foldover cases the spine panels with raised bands ruled in blind the compartments lettered in gilt or decorated with central gilt tooled designs. The 11 original parts bound in the original orange wrappers each part containing 4 chapters plus other short stories poems articles etc. An uncommonly handsome set of one of Hardy's rarest works all the more so in original format in the first issue example of the work and in collector's condition. The volumes are each still quite fresh with no significant wear and just a bit of expected mellowing and rubbing at the tips or extremities the text brighter and cleaner then is typically seen especially well preserved. A VERY ATTRACTIVE SET IN ORIGINAL FORMAT RARE IN THE PARTS AND ONE OF HARDY'S SCARCEST WORKS LISTED AS NUMBER FOUR IN COMPARATIVE SCARCITY IN BOOK FORM BY SADLEIR. It is even more rare in the original wraps and in this state of condition most copies being either rebound or separated for binding presentation.<br> The events of the story concern Ethelberta's career as a famous poet and storyteller as she struggles to support her family and conceal her secret—that her father is a butler. Beautiful clever and rational she easily attracts four very persistent suitors Mr. Julian Mr. Neigh Mr. Ladywell and Lord Mountclere but is reluctant to give her much-coveted hand. The Cornhill Magazine, Smith, Elder and Co. paperback
189347776Sampson Low Marston 1893. 8vo. free endpapers mildly browned; plum diced cloth upper board blocked in blind gilt back a remarkably bright clean copy. Bright copy of an early reissue. The novel was never reprinted in its original two-volume form. The first single-volume edition appeared in 1877 with six of the original illustrations but much of the edition was remaindered to Sampson Low in 1882. This is apparently the first single-volume without illustrations. SCARCE IN THIS CONDITION. See Purdy p.23. Sampson Low Marston, hardcover
187629015London: Smith Elder & Co. 1876. 2 volumes. First edition. With eleven attractive wood-engraved plates after George Du Maurier. Tall 8vos in the publisher's original and primary binding of brick-red cloth the upper covers with lettering blocked in gilt within elaborate black Victorian borders the spines decorated and lettered similarly in black and gilt cafe-au-lait endpapers. Now housed in a fine cloth-covered clamshell box with attractive printed label. vi 1 322 2 ad; vi 1 318 2 ad pp. An uncommonly handsome set of one of Hardy's rarest works all the more so in original cloth and desirable condition. The cloth is still quite fresh with no fading and bright gilt just a bit of expected mellowing and rubbing at the tips or extremities the text brighter and cleaner then is typically seen any foxing being only occasional and quite light the plates especially clean. A VERY ATTRACTIVE SET OF ONE OF HARDY'S RAREST WORKS LISTED AS NUMBER FOUR IN COMPARATIVE SCARCITY BY SADLEIR. It is even more rare in the original cloth and in this state of condition most copies being either overly repaired or overtly shabby.<br> The events of the story concern Ethelberta's career as a famous poet and storyteller as she struggles to support her family and conceal her secret—that her father is a butler. Beautiful clever and rational she easily attracts four very persistent suitors Mr. Julian Mr. Neigh Mr. Ladywell and Lord Mountclere but is reluctant to give her much-coveted hand. Smith, Elder, & Co. hardcover
1897RO60070643Osgood, McIlvaine & Co.. 1897. In-8. Relié. Etat d'usage, Couv. légèrement passée, Dos abîmé, Intérieur frais. 337 pages. Gravure à l'eau-forte en noir et blanc en frontispice. Illustré d'une carte en noir et blanc hors texte en fin d'ouvrage. Titre et motif dorés sur le dos et le premier plat. Tranche de tête dorée. Annotations d'époque en page de garde (ex-libris).. . . . Classification Dewey : 420-Langue anglaise. Anglo-saxon
189642015Osgood McIlvaine 1896. 8vo. First Edition thus on laid paper with fine etched frontispiece original tissue guard present and full-page map endpapers mildly spotted; original series binding of ribbed green cloth gilt 'TH' monogram blocked in gilt on front board gilt back gilt top uncut short crease in backstrip else a very good bright clean crisp copy. Published as Volume XIV in the 'Wessex Novels' collected edition. Collects eight short stories together with nine 'colloquial' sketches. 'With the exception of 'On The Western Circuit' the stories were only slightly revised for their appearance here. The volume was printed from the same plates as the first edition two years before' Purdy. Osgood's 'Wessex Novels' is the first uniform and complete edition of Hardy's works. 'The edition is an important one. The text of every novel was thoroughly and carefully revised the topography names and distances corrected where necessary chapters frequently retitled and much rewriting done. In addition Hardy prepared a special preface for each volume' Purdy p.281. Each of the sixteen volumes has an etched frontispiece by Macbeth-Raeburn depicting a scene fom the novel drawn on the spot in this case 'A View in Melchester' and a map of Wessex drawn by Hardy himself. In terms of book production these are undoubtedly the finest trade editions of Hardy's works. ALL VOLUMES IN THIS SERIES ARE SCARCE IN THIS CONDITION. See Purdy pp.81-83 279-282. Osgood McIlvaine, hardcover
1894647Osgood McIlvaine 1894. 8vo. Second Edition on laid paper; decorative green cloth gilt covers tooled in gilt and red to an art-nouveau floral design by Charles Ricketts gilt back back very lightly faded else a remarkably bright clean copy. The binding is identical to that of the first edition published earlier in the same year. Purdy p.85. [Osgood, McIlvaine], hardcover
1894RO60107224Bernhard Tauchnitz, Leipzig. 1894. In-16. Broché. Etat d'usage, Tâchée, Dos abîmé, Intérieur acceptable. 295 pages. Annotation sur le 1er plat (ex-libris). Cahiers se détachant.. . . . Classification Dewey : 420-Langue anglaise. Anglo-saxon