Joseph Conrad

8vo, new ("Deep Sea") edition, Stanley Seeger Sr's copy with his ownership signature on upper paste-down ("Stanley | Seeger | Milwaukee | 1918"), original limp blue leather, slightly browned, worn and rubbed at edges of binding and on spine

 Stanley Seeger Sr, ownership signature on upper paste-down; thence by descent

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, when 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."

This is the probably the earliest (or one of the earliest) Conrad books acquired in assembling the present library, linking two generations of the Seeger family, father and son, with their shared interest in the life and work of Joseph Conrad. Stanley Seeger Sr. was a doctor based in Milwaukee who collected first editions, while his wife enjoyed collecting antiques. Their son Stanley J. Seeger Jr was born in May 1930, and clearly inherited the collecting gene.

This edition appears to be the first published by Doubleday (using their "Deep Sea" format) after they took over the rights from Harper, whose third and final printing of the first edition was issued in December 1916 (see Cagle p.118).