Conrad, Joseph

a lengthy and gracious response to her letter of appreciation on The Outcast of the Islands, describing her letter as a reward for the painful labour of creation ("...when one sits before the blank page while the unexpressed thought shapes itself slowly - deep down somewhere at the bottom of one's heart...") and as sweetening the bitterness of the writer's solitude ("...That's why - I apprehend - the author, the artist craves for praise. For the hours of labour are long - and the time of achievement is only a short and fleeting moment..."), also with thanks for her wishes on his marriage and informing her that "we shall withdraw from the sights and sounds of civilization into the wilds of Brittany", 5 pages, 8vo, 17 Gillingham Street, London, 22 March 1896, autograph addressed envelope with red wax seal impression, lacking integral blank, envelope dust stained

Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

"...Therefore I thank you for your letter with a perfect gratitude which is the more great because I know very well that only half of the book comes from the hand of the author - the other half is only to be found in the heart of some rare and precious reader..."

Juanita ("Nita") Wall was the daughter of E.B. Redmayne (see lot 2), and accompanied her father to Australia in 1892 when they sailed on the Torrens and befriended Conrad, the ship's first officer. Conrad had asked Redmayne for her address on 23 February 1896 in order to send her a copy of The Outcast, and she had written to Conrad on 21 March, commenting, "How good it must be to have the power to make others see & feel so keenly". These enthusiastic words spurred Conrad into a detailed response which dwelt at length on the difficulties of an author's life.