Braddon, Mary Elizabeth

Lady Audley's Secret. London: Tinsley Bros., 1862, 8vo (189 x 123mm.), third edition, revised, half-titles, 2-page publisher's catalogue in volume 1, 4-page catalogues in volumes 2 and 3, 4-page insert of the Llandovery Book Society pasted into volume 1, publisher's royal blue dot-and-line grain cloth, covers blocked in blind, spine lettered in gilt, modern morocco-backed folding box,  browning and some small tears to endpapers, spines bumped at head and foot, some wear to extremities [Sadleir 302b; not in Wolff]; The Cloven Foot. London: John and Robert Maxwell, [1879], 8vo (187 x 125mm.), 3 volumes, first edition, first issue, publisher's dark green cloth, spines lettered in gilt with Maxwell on spine, Leighton binder's ticket on back fixed endpaper, ownership inscription on front free endpapers, recased, spines bumped at head and foot [Sadleir 275 (first issue); Wolff 633]; The Day Will Come. London: Simpkin, Marshall, and Co., [1889], 8vo (187 x 124mm.), 3 volumes, first edition, half-titles, publisher's dark green cloth, spines lettered in gilt, modern cloth slipcase, ownership inscriptions on half-titles and titles [Sadleir 277; Wolff 635]

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."

Three novels, including the rare third edition of Lady Audley's Secret, by one of the best-selling of Victorian novelists. Lady Audley's Secret, the first of the two 'bigamy novels' that made Mary Elizabeth Braddon's name, was an enormous success, with nine separate editions in the last three months of 1862 alone. Of these, the most significant is the third edition (the first revised edition), for which Braddon elaborated an obscure plot development at the end of volume 3.