Conrad, Joseph

8vo, first edition, presentation copy inscribed by the author to M. Curzon Austin ("M. Curzon Austin | from the Author | 1908.") on front free endpaper, four coloured plates after Dan Sayre Groesbeck, original dark green smooth cloth lettered in gilt on spine and upper cover with design in white (Cagle's "a" binding), minor browning and spotting, binding worn at extremities

M. Curzon Austin, authorial inscription

Cagle A13(c)

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

Authorial inscriptions in American editions of Conrad are rare.

The recipient may be Mary Austin (1868-1934), the American writer and feminist, known for her book about the California Desert, The Land of Little Rain (1903). Austin met Conrad twice. The first occasion was recorded as 1908 by Austin in her essay on Typhoon in Keating’s A Conrad Memorial Library. However, in the author’s Earth Horizon (1922) she suggests 1909. If this volume is indeed inscribed to Mary Austin, the earlier meeting is probably confirmed by the inscription. Austin’s second meeting was in 1922. Austin’s articles on Conrad included "A Sermon in One Man", Harper’s Weekly, 16 May 1914 and the fascinatingly entitled "Joseph Conrad Tells What Women don’t know about Men", Pictorial Review, September 1923.

The Point of Honor comprises the first separate volume publication of "The Duel: a military tale" first published in the Pall Mall Magazine (January to May 1908), Forum (July to October 1908) and as one of the tales within A Set of Six.