Conrad, Joseph

8vo, first English edition, presentation copy inscribed by Conrad on front free endpaper to his medical attendant ("To | A.E. Tebb | with great regard | from Jph. Conrad. | 1904"), 32pp. publisher's catalogue at end, original slate grey smooth cloth lettered and with design in gilt on spine and upper cover (Cagle's 'b' binding), collector's chemise and slipcase, some light browning, occasional creases, bookplate to front fixed endpaper, extremities slightly bumped

A.E. Tebb, authorial inscription; Frank J. Hogan, bookplate and his sale at Parke-Bernet Galleries, New York, 24 April 1945, lot 187; Bloomsbury Auctions, 16 June 2005, lot 599

Cagle A8b(1)

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."

Dr. Albert Edward Tebb (1863-1943) was, in the opinion of Martin Bock, 'more than a medical attendant: a close personal friend of Conrad and Ford, he saw them through difficult times and ultimately helped keep them writing'.

Violet Hunt in The Flurried Years (London, 1926) described Tebb as a '...queer, clever, weedy man... you called him and he came, hasting, his baggy umbrella in front of him, the flaps of his greatcoat nearly touching the ground, looking like Santa Claus or the Old Clo' Man bringing the babies. He brought several pre-Raphaelite babies into the world and one of Conrad's. He was a magician, a wonder-doctor, as one would have expected from his quack-like appearance, white-complexioned, blue eyed, bewildered. ...But how could a man like that make money? He was poor - and likely to remain so.'

Indeed, writing to Ford in 1935 Tebb noted that '...it has been my fate, sooner or later, to have to part with everything of value I have ever collected or acquired. My Kelmscott books, Conrad inscribed first Editions, Beardsley collection... my fiddle, everything - all because of the dire and pressing need of cash...' (see Martin Bock, ' "What Has Happened to Poor Tebb?": a biographical sketch of Conrad's Physician', The Conradian, Vol. 23 No 1 (Spring 1998), pp. 1-18)