Conrad, Joseph

in blue ink, with autograph corrections and postscript, recalling his days at sea to a fellow sailor, including the dismasting of the Torrens on the voyage before he sailed in her ("...The most absurd thing in the world by all accounts. It was only a slight squall..."), and writing regretfully of the changes wrought by the passing of the age of sail, as he had observed in his passage to America the previous year ("...Capt. Bone, who had some ten years of sail, told me that they had wholly lost the 'weather sense', that touch with the natural phenomena of wind and sea which was the very breath of our professional life..."), 2 pages, 4to, headed stationery of Oswalds, Bishopsbourne, Kent, 12 January 1924, spotting, [with:] typescript biographical note on the addressee (1 page)

Phillips, London, 12 November 1992, lot 117

Collected Letters, VIII, pp.271-73

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."

Arthur Phillips (1861-c.1936) had been apprenticed to Captain H.R. Angel, master of the Torrens, a clipper that ran between London and Adelaide. Phillips made his first voyage on the Torrens in about 1880, some 11 years before Conrad joined the ship as first mate. Phillips later settled in the United States and was a pioneer in the opening of Wyoming territory.