- 256
Conrad, Joseph
Estimate
400 - 600 GBP
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Description
- Conrad, Joseph
- The Secret Agent. London: Methuen & Co. Ltd., 1920
- paper and ink
8vo, tenth edition, presentation copy inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper to Catherine Willard ("Catherine Willard from her friend Joseph Conrad 1st Jan: 21."), 8pp. publisher's advertisements at end, original smooth red cloth, lettered and with design in gilt on spine, tiny abrasion to title, splitting at hinges, light fading to spine, slight fraying to ends of spine, light soiling to covers; together with: "Commonweal.": The Greenwich Mystery. Sheffield: David Nicoll, 18 April 1897, 16 pages, 8vo, stapled, with a loose printed slip entitled "The Walsall Anarchists", first leaf detached, outer leaves browned, frayed and torn
Provenance
Catherine Willard (authorial inscription); Swann Galleries, 23 March 1989, lot 25
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."
Catalogue Note
The actress Catherine Willard (1895?-1954) and her mother Grace were close friends of the Conrads. Catherine, with Conrad's support, had been keen to obtain the role of Lena in a proposed film version of Victory. It is possible that the gift of this copy of The Secret Agent in 1921 indicates that Conrad had her in mind for a part in the dramatized version of that novel. Included with this lot is a rare copy of David Nicoll's anarchist penny pamphlet "The Greenwich Mystery", evidently used by Conrad as a source for his novel.