Conrad, Joseph

8vo, first edition, corrected state (listing of author's works corrected), presentation copy inscribed by the author [to Richard Curle] ("I consider this a | collection of no mean | tricks. | Moreover The Duel is my | first attempt at historical | fiction on which I've | been complimented by | some French people who | know | Joseph Conrad.") on front free endpaper, 40pp. publisher's catalogue dated June 1908 at end, original dark blue smooth cloth lettered in gilt on spine and in dark red on upper cover, some browning, binding slightly worn, upper hinge split

Richard Curle, his sale, American Art Association, 28 April 1927, lot 63; A. Edward Newton, bookplate, his sale, Parke-Bernet Galleries, 17 April 1941, lot 411

Cagle A13a(2)

Curle records this copy in his Notes by Joseph Conrad(London, 1925) on page 27.

RICHARD CURLE (1883—1968), author, editor and journalist. The son of a Scottish landowner, Curle was a close friend of Conrad's in the last decade of his life, and also co-executor of his estate after his death. The two first met in 1912 at one of the Thursday meetings of Edward Garnett's circle at the Mont Blanc Restaurant. “The friendship developed and became lasting, with Curle perhaps filling the gap left by Conrad's rupture with Ford Madox Ford” (Knowles and Moore). As well as enjoying his company Conrad made considerable use of Curle's contacts in the press world and valued his practical advice. Curle's appreciation, Joseph Conrad: A Study, appeared in 1914. He was active as a journalist in South Africa in 1916-18, and then spent most of 1920 in Burma and the Malay States. Conrad dedicated The Arrow of Gold to his friend, and Curle became a very regular guest at Oswalds in the final years, being present on the day of Conrad's death on 3rd August 1924. With Ralph Wedgwood Curle was co-executor of Conrad's estate for twenty years. He prepared the final novel Suspense for publication, arranged for limited editions of Conrad's Congo Diary (as well as the notes Conrad had inscribed in books he had given to Curle), and helped Jessie to organise the sale of her husband's library. The bulk of his extensive Conrad collection was sold in 234 lots by the American Art Association in New York on 28 April 1927.