Hardy ThomasLivre Rare Book
HARDY ThomasBiblio.com
A Group of Noble Dames. With an Etching by H. Macbeth-Raeburn and a Map of Wessex. Vol. XV of 'The Wessex Novels'. First US Edition. NEAR FINE COPY OF THE FIRST US EDITION
190149775Harpers 1901. 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 a near fine copy. Osgood's 'Wessex Novels' 1895-6 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 'Kings-Hintock Court in The First Countess of Wessex' 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
Island Books · Royaume-Uni112,00 £GB≈ 127,88 €
