Conrad, Joseph

blue ink, with autograph corrections in black ink, responding to a request to name his favourite of his own books ("...I like best one for one quality and another for a different quality which I perceive in it, or even, perhaps, for what a critic would call a defect ... I will tell you also that there are passages in almost all of my books which 'I like best'. Under those circumstances to select one book for preference could not be done without pondering, balancing, weighing, tasting, and a lot of other delicate operations for which time is growing short..."), 1 page, 4to, headed stationery of Oswalds, Bishopsbourne, Kent, 1 February 1924, very slightly sunned

Collected Letters, IX, p.295

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."

E.H. Visiak was a pseudonym for Edward Harold Physick (1878-1972), a wide-ranging writer whose work included The Mirror of Conrad (1955) and a series of maritime novels.