Hardy, Thomas

8vo (190 x 121mm.), 3 volumes, first edition, one of 500 copies, original red sand-grain cloth, volumes 1 and 2 blocked in blind on upper and lower covers with decorative border incorporating the words Tinsley’s Magazine—one shilling—monthly—illustrated, volume 3 with the regular three-rule border surrounding scroll frame, spines lettered and decorated in gilt, in modern blue chemises and morocco pull-off case, volume 1 rebacked with original spine laid down, covers slightly soiled, volumes 2 and 3 with neat repairs to spines at head and foot, slight wear to corners

R. Riddell, bookplate on front free endpaper volumes 2 and 3

Purdy, pp.3-5; Wolff 2971

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."

Hardy’s very rare first book in the original cloth, with two volumes in the rare ‘Advertisement binding’. Desperate Remedies was published anonymously on 25 March, 1871. Hardy kept four  notices of the novel in a scrapbook of reviews; although these were largely positive, that published in The Spectator (read by Hardy on a stile at Kingston Maurward ewe-leaze as he walked home from Dorchester) was so savage that on reading it he “wished he were dead” and later claimed that “the bitterness of [that] moment was never forgotten” (Florence Hardy, Life, p.84).