- 194
Conrad, Joseph
Estimate
4,000 - 6,000 GBP
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Description
- Conrad, Joseph
- Almayer's Folly. A Story of an Eastern River. London: T. Fisher Unwin, 1895
- paper and ink
8vo, first edition, first state of the author's first book, with a pen and ink drawing by Conrad of a seated lady being serenaded (17.5 x 11.2cm), inscribed below in pencil by Jessie Conrad: "Done by Joseph Conrad in Paris about 1893", integral blank, on a guard affixed to the half-title, title-page in red and black, bookplate of Francis Edwin Murray to front pastedown, original dark green vertically ribbed cloth lettered in gilt on the spine, top edges gilt, collector's green morocco-backed folding case, splitting at upper hinge, offsetting to endpapers, slight wear to head of spine and lower fore-corners, spotting to drawing
Provenance
Pierre S. DuPont III, his sale, Christie's New York, 8 October 1991, lot 43
Literature
Cagle A1a(1)
Condition
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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
A remarkable copy, with a rare drawing by Conrad, attested by his wife, tipped in.
Conrad's first book and first novel, set in the Borneo jungle, about the Dutch trader Kaspar Almayer and his mixed-race daughter Nina. A first printing of 1100 copies was noted by Conrad himself in 1895. Later estimates include 1000 copies (suggested by the publisher) and 2000 copies (Wise). The present copy has the first state of p.110 in which type is missing in the last two lines.
Francis Edwin Murray (1854-1932), who worked as a bookseller and publisher in London, is remembered today as one of the so-called Uranian poets. His verse publications include Rondeaux of Boyhood (1923) and Other Verses of Boyhood (1924).