Conrad, Joseph

friendly and personal letters dominated by World War I (“…the thought of this war sits on one’s chest like a nightmare. I am painfully aware of being crippled, of being ill & of being useless, with a sort of absurd anxiety as though it could matter to the greatness of the Empire. Borys is intensely miserable at not being yet of serviceable age…”), Borys’s commission, training, and war service (“…He has been … all along the front from Ypres-Arm[enti]ères Vimy ridge to the Somme offensive … He has been gassed a little, has flown in action, has been knocked down by shell concussion … has squatted in observation posts, had a joy ride in one of the first tanks – unfortunately the one which had its hind wheels shot away in the first half-hour…”), as well as other war-related topics including the death in action of Wedgwood family members, other subjects including Conrad's intentions in Within the Tides (“…a deliberate attempt at four different methods of telling a story – an essay in craftsmanship…”) and his expression of gratitude to Ralph Wedgwood for agreeing to being named as one of Conrad’s executors, 29 pages, 4to and 8vo, the Grand Hotel, Sheffield, Capel House, Orlestone, near Ashford, Oswalds, Bishopsbourne, and the Curzon Hotel, London, [6 July 1914] to “Tuesday" [?31 October 1922], one autograph envelope, occasional weakening at folds

Collected Letters, V, pp.427-28, 438-39; VI, pp.11-12, 51-52; VII. pp.488, 502-3, 564; IX, pp.175, 181, 189-190, 196

Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, 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."

Iris Veronica Wedgwood, née Pawson (1886-1982), was an intellectual and author of novels and works on British topography, who counted such luminaries as Ralph Vaughan Williams and the philosopher G.E. Moore among her friends. She met Conrad through Richard Curle. Her husband was Ralph Lewis Wedgwood (1874-1956; Kn. 1924; Bt., 1942). Although his family business was probably the best-known ceramic manufacturer in Britain, he made his career in railway administration. He undertook military logistical work during World War I and rose to the rank of Brigadier General. It was no doubt Wedgwood's high office and worldly success that led Conrad to ask him to be, along with Curle, executor of his estate. Conrad stayed with the Wedgwoods at Stonefall Hall, near Harrogate in June-July 1914 and the following year dedicated Within the Tides to them "in gratitude for their charming hospitality in the last month of peace."