Conrad, Joseph

regretfully declining his offer to review Stephen Crane's The Open Boat ("...The excellent fellow in the goodness of his heart has been praising me beyond my merits on his own side of the water .... I've not enough standing and reputation to put me above the suspicion of swinging back the censer..."), explaining that he read the stories prior to publication and has discussed them with him at length, "yet what can be said and explained during an all-night talk may wear a different complexion in the cold austerity of print", 4 pages, 8vo, Stanford-le-Hope, Essex, 23 April 1898, dust stained

Collected Letters, II, p.59

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

A charming letter in which Conrad makes clear his admiration for Stephen Crane's work but rejects the time-honoured tradition of friendly writers puffing each other's books. In later years, after Crane's early death, Conrad was to write poignantly about his life and work (see lot 128). Conrad's correspondent here may well have been Charles Lewis Hind (1862-1927), editor of the Academy, who had just commissioned Conrad to review a volume of short stories set in Malaya by Hugh Clifford.