- 228
Conrad, Joseph
Estimate
2,000 - 3,000 GBP
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Description
- Conrad, Joseph
- The Nigger of the "Narcissus". Preface. [Hythe: Privately printed for the author by J. Lovick, 1902]
- PAPER
8vo, first separate (and revised) edition of the author's "artistic manifesto", presentation copy inscribed to Richard Curle ("To Richard Curle from J. Conrad. | Suppressed preface to the book from | which however W.E. Henley insisted on | printing at the end of serial pub[licati]on in the | New Review, as an afterword." at the head of the text, collector's chemise and slipcase, rust stains around staple, some very minor spotting
One hundred copies of this 'suppressed preface' were privately printed for Conrad by J. Lovick of Hythe. Forty of these copies, however, were accidentally destroyed by Conrad. The text includes a typesetting error with "prjudices" appearing on the first page. Conrad has failed to correct this on this copy.
Sidney Pawling of Heinemann refused to print the text of Conrad's preface with the novel and, although it had appeared in the New Review for December 1897, it did not appear in book form until the 1914 Doubleday, Page edition in the United States. Only in 1921 did it appear as a preface in Heinemann's collected edition.
Knowles and Moore note that '...this "Preface" has... come to be seen as Conrad's artistic manifesto.' (see Knowles and Moore, p. 326). For Karl it is '...a document of overwhelming personal and aesthetic importance for him. It was... his personal summation of the life of the artist up to 1897 and... a harbinger of the artist to come...' (see Karl, p. 394).
It appears that Richard Curle had at least two copies of this publication. A copy with a different inscription was described in his Notes by Joseph Conrad (London, 1925) and that copy was sold in his sale ("The Richard Curle Conrad Collection") at the American Art Association on 28 April 1927. The author, editor and journalist Richard Curle (1883-1968) was a very close friend of Conrad's during the last decade of his life, and the co-executor of his estate after his death. See note alongside lot 66, Part I.
One hundred copies of this 'suppressed preface' were privately printed for Conrad by J. Lovick of Hythe. Forty of these copies, however, were accidentally destroyed by Conrad. The text includes a typesetting error with "prjudices" appearing on the first page. Conrad has failed to correct this on this copy.
Sidney Pawling of Heinemann refused to print the text of Conrad's preface with the novel and, although it had appeared in the New Review for December 1897, it did not appear in book form until the 1914 Doubleday, Page edition in the United States. Only in 1921 did it appear as a preface in Heinemann's collected edition.
Knowles and Moore note that '...this "Preface" has... come to be seen as Conrad's artistic manifesto.' (see Knowles and Moore, p. 326). For Karl it is '...a document of overwhelming personal and aesthetic importance for him. It was... his personal summation of the life of the artist up to 1897 and... a harbinger of the artist to come...' (see Karl, p. 394).
It appears that Richard Curle had at least two copies of this publication. A copy with a different inscription was described in his Notes by Joseph Conrad (London, 1925) and that copy was sold in his sale ("The Richard Curle Conrad Collection") at the American Art Association on 28 April 1927. The author, editor and journalist Richard Curle (1883-1968) was a very close friend of Conrad's during the last decade of his life, and the co-executor of his estate after his death. See note alongside lot 66, Part I.
Provenance
Richard Curle (authorial inscription)
Literature
Cagle A3f
Condition
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."
"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."