Description

“THE VERY FINEST AND STRONGEST PICTURE OF THE SEA AND SEA LIFE THAT OUR LANGUAGE POSSESSES”: SIGNED BY JOSEPH CONRAD

CONRAD, Joseph. The Nigger of the “Narcissus”: A Tale of the Sea. London: William Heinemann, 1898. Octavo, original gilt-stamped gray cloth.

First English edition of Conrad’s first masterpiece, signed by him.

The Nigger of the “Narcissus” was first published in New York in 1897 as The Children of the Sea. Henry James described the novel as “the very finest and strongest picture of the sea and sea life that our language possesses” (Drabble, 700). Dated 1898, the novel was actually issued December 2, 1897, in an edition of 1500 copies. With first-issue advertisements and “H” on spine slightly larger than other letters (no priority determined). Variant state of ads with a 4-page insert on thicker paper beginning with Hall Crane’s “The Christian” bound before the 32-page catalogue. Cagle A3c. Wise 5. Bookplate, early envelope tipped to rear pastedown.

Title page lightly foxed. Only slightest trace of bumping to spine ends, bit of discoloration to cloth. Front inner paper hinge expertly reinforced. An extremely good copy, most desirable signed.