Conrad, Joseph and Ford Madox Hueffer

8vo, first edition, pre-publication state, original cloth, dust-jacket, spotting to front free endpaper

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."

An unusual, perhaps unique, pre-publication copy. The front free endpaper carries the note: "Not for sale. This is one of ten copies of proofs bound for trade purposes before the author's final revision".  Beneath is a Duckworth's receipt stamp, dated 20 September 1924. The book differs from the published version in that: the cloth is a smoother grain; the top edge is stained red rather than blue; it omits the date "June 1924" on pages 7 and 13, at the end of the authors' prefaces; it is printed on wove rather than laid paper. It would seem that the "author's final revision" mentioned on the front free endpaper never occurred, due to Conrad's death on 3 August that year. 

Also included in this lot is a standard copy of the work in a dust-jacket