Conrad, Joseph

8vo, first English edition, first state  4pp. of advertisements at the end (leaves S1, S2), 16-page catalogue of publisher's "...Autumn Announcements" bound in after this, original slate grey smooth cloth, upper cover stamp in gold with title within life ring device, preserved in green cloth folding box, some minor spotting, binding very slightly loose, slight wear to edges of binding

acquired from Henry Clapp Smith, New York booksellers, 5 May 1964 (receipt loosely inserted)

Cagle A3c(1)a

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 copy is in Cagle's "a" binding with the initial letter in the publisher's name on the spine 5.5mm high and those following 4mm, and with the 16-page catalogue bound in at the end. Four separate binding orders were received between 22 November 1897 and 6 April 1898, in at least three different binding styles, making up a total edition of around 1,500 copies.

Although Cagle places the first American edition (with its different title The Children of the Sea) before the regular "domestic printing" of the English edition it is not certain, from his analysis of the publishing records, which actually came first. The first American edition (see lot 16) was published on 30 November 1897; it is recorded that the first 25 copies of the English edition were "received bound" on 26 November 1897, and there is a recorded presentation copy from Conrad to his wife Jessie dated 27 November, with copies inscribed to Henry James on the 30th. Whether these were advance presentation copies is not clear, and there appears to be no firmly identified publication date for the English edition.