Conrad, Joseph and Ford Madox Hueffer

8vo, first book edition, presentation copy inscribed by Ford Madox Ford to his lover Stella Bowen one day before publication ("To my dear Stella | Ford Madox Ford | 25 September MXXIV"), original orange cloth, offsetting to endpapers, spine sunned, some discoloration to cloth

The painter Stella Bowen (1893-1947), presentation inscription to her by her lover, the co-author Ford Madox Ford

Keating 185

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."

The Nature of a Crime was published simultaneously in Britain and America on 26 September 1924, less than two months after Conrad's death. The story was first published in Ford's English Review in April and May 1909 under one of Ford's many pseudonymns ("Baron Ignatz von Aschendrof"). It is almost entirely Ford's work. Ford met the young Australian painter Esther (Stella) Bowen in 1918 and they became lovers the following year, before moving to rural Sussex and then Paris. Their daughter Esther Julia was born in 1920. They separated in 1928. Although often referred to as "Stella Ford" it seems clear they never married. Ford in fact remained married to his one and only wife Elsie Martindale for the rest of his life after their wedding in 1894, despite his relationships with both Stella and another woman, the novelist Violet Hunt (who also sometimes took her husband's first surname of "Hueffer"). As Julian Barnes has written, "whether he was legally, or only psychologically, a bigamist is unclear...". For more on Ford Madox Ford, and his central importance to Conrad's literary career, see lot 35.