Thomas Hardy | A Call to National Service, 1917, first edition, initialed by Florence Hardy and inscribed by the author

Thomas Hardy

A Call to National Service. [London]: printed for Florence Hardy at the Chiswick Press, 1917

FIRST EDITION, NUMBER 1 OF 25 COPIES, INITIALLED BY FLORENCE HARDY AND INSCRIBED BY THOMAS HARDY, 8vo, original wrappers

Initialled by his wife, Florence Hardy, being number 1 of 25 copies (presumably their own copy). Additionally inscribed: "Corrected by Thomas Hardy, May 1917" in his hand on the title-page, probably unique thus. Florence wrote in her biography of Hardy: "More verses on the war were written...in December, including ‘An Appeal to America' [in this volume]. A sad vigil, during which no bells were heard at Max Gate, brought in the first New Year of this unprecedented ‘breaking of nations'". Rare—the last copy at auction was in 1965, which was presented with a letter to Clement Shorter, but not inscribed. A very good copy in wrappers.

LITERATURE

Purdy 191-2