Conrad, Joseph

Small folio, 22 parts, the copyright edition, comprising one of two copies formerly deposited in the Library of Congress to secure American copyright, each copy stamped and annotated "Library of Congress | Two Copies Received | Jan 29 1904 [through to Jul 23 1904] | Copyright Entry | Jan. 22, 1904 | Class a XXc. No. | 78041 | Copy B [or A]", also "The Library of Congress | Duplicate", printed in galley format on rectos only, original printed wrappers, leaves stapled or sewn, collector’s chemise and blue morocco-backed slipcase, wrappers worn with tears and some loss, many wrappers and occasional leaves loose, occasional adhesive tape repairs

Scribner Book Store, New York, their symbolic code and the date 11/50 on the upper wrapper of part 8; Sotheby’s New York, 15 June 1990, lot 33

see Cagle p.106

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

One of only two copies. This set comprises thirteen parts lettered A and nine parts lettered B. An address panel from an envelope is also included, addressed by the publishers to the Librarian of Congress. This is postmarked 20 May 1904 (and stamped as received on 21 May 1904). This would have contained the sixteenth part of the set.

Cagle notes that Harper entered the novel for copyright in the United States on 22 January 1904 and, around the same date, began receiving proofs of the instalments of the book as it appeared in the English periodical T.P.’s Weekly (from 29 January 1904). Each of these was set in type and galley proofs were pulled, two sets of which were supplied with specially printed wrappers and deposited in the Library of Congress between 29 January and 23 July 1904. These wrappered parts, twenty-two in each set, were prepared for only the first 457 of the 631 pages of text.

For the American book publication (which did not occur until around 23 November 1904), proofs from the first English edition, with Conrad’s revisions, were sent to New York and the type for the first American edition was corrected.