Conrad, Joseph

8vo, one of 200 copies signed by the author, of which this is one of 25 copies for presentation, inscribed by Conrad to his daughter-in-law ("to M[adeline]. J[oan]. C[onrad]. | with love"),  hand-printed on Kelmscott hand-made paper, printed in black and green, original vellum (Cagle's "a" binding), top edge gilt, preserved in blue cloth slipcase 

Joan Madeline Conrad (neé King), presentation inscription from the author; John Gozier Gordan, book-label [for a note on Gordan see lot 82]

Cagle A59

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing unless otherwise stated
"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 remarkable and rare family presentation copy. Just before Conrad's visit to America in May 1923 his wife Jessie learned of their son Borys's secret marriage to Joan Madeline King (1894--1981), whom he had met during the war in France, on 2 September the previous year. Borys's "secret" was kept from his father until he returned to Britain in June 1923. Although initially furious, Conrad seems to have become reconciled to the marriage, and soon arranged a wedding present in the form of a regular allowance. Borys and his wife visited Oswalds twice in the summer and it seems likely that the during this time Conrad presented his new daughter-in-law with this copy of Laughing Anne, which was one of ten advance copies given him for presentation by the publisher. If this suggestion is right, the gift represents Conrad's attempt to affect some rapprochement with Borys and his new wife. Conrad family associations are rare.         

Laughing Anne is a dramatization of Conrad's story "Because of the Dollars" from the collection Within the Tides.