Description

EXCEPTIONAL SIGNED ASSOCIATION COPY: JOSEPH CONRAD’S SECOND BOOK, SIGNED BY HIM, FRIEND AND BIOGRAPHER ARTHUR SYMONS’ COPY

CONRAD, Joseph. An Outcast of the Islands. London: T. Fisher Unwin, 1896. Octavo, original green cloth, gilt-lettered spine, top edge gilt, uncut.

First edition of Conrad’s second book, signed and dated 1911 by him.

After the publication of Almayer’s Folly Conrad was unsure whether to continue writing. He was persuaded by Edward Garnett, a reader for Unwin who had also encouraged him after reading a draft of his first book. Garnett’s remark, “You have the temperament, you have the style  why not write?” convinced him to continue. Cagle A2a. Smith 2. Wise 2. With ownership signature of Arthur Symons—poet, critic, editor and friend of Conrad—dated 1896, above Conrad’s signature. In 1926 Symons published a biographical essay about his friend titled Notes On Joseph Conrad, With Some Unpublished Letters. Text generally quite bright and clean, only a bit of faint discoloration to original cloth. A near-fine copy, most desirable signed by Conrad.