Description
“YOU WILL, I AM SURE, UNDERSTAND AND SYMPATHIZE WITH THE SHADOWY PERSONAGES IT CONCERNS”: RARE AND EXTRAORDINARY FIRST EDITION, PRESENTATION COPY, OF JUDE THE OBSCURE, IN EXTREMELY RARE ORIGINAL DUST JACKET, INSCRIBED BY HARDY TO THE DUCHESS OF ABERCORN IN THE YEAR OF PUBLICATION AND WITH A WONDERFUL TIPPED-IN SIGNED AUTOGRAPH PRESENTATION LETTER EXPRESSING HIS HOPE THAT SHE ENJOYS THE CHARACTERS IN THE NOVEL IF NOT THE NOVEL ITSELF
HARDY, Thomas. Jude the Obscure. (London: Osgood, McIlvaine, 1896 [but actually 1895]). Octavo, original gilt-stamped blue-green cloth, top edge gilt, uncut, original dust jacket. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box.
Exceptional first edition, first issue, presentation copy, of Hardy’s last work of fiction, with map and lovely frontispiece etching by H. Macbeth-Raeburn, inscribed: “To The Duchess of Abercorn: from Thomas Hardy. November: 1895” and with a tipped-in autograph signed presentation letter on Hardy’s stationery dated “Nov 4, 1895” also addressed to the Duchess discussing Hardy’s new novel and hoping that the Duchess enjoys the characters if not the novel itself. In exceptionally rare original dust jacket.
Jude the Obscure “was begun as a serial story in Harper’s Magazine at the end of November 1894, and was continued in monthly parts. But, as in the case of Tess of the d’Urbervilles, the magazine version was for various reasons abridged and modified in some degree, the present edition being the first in which the whole appears as originally written” (Webb, 83). The novel was received with mixed reviews due to its disturbing content and implications that it was autobiographical. Burned by a bishop and banned for its “indecency,” Jude became Hardy’s last work of fiction (Smith-Seymour, 547). First issue, with Osgood’s name on verso of title and gilt-stamped on spine. First state, with all of the first eight signatures containing page numbers on the partially blank pages (Purdy, 87). Purdy, 86-91 (This copy one of only seven inscribed presentation copies known to the bibliographer, who hypothesizes that Hardy may have inscribed the copy due to the Duchess’ support of Tess of the d’Ubervilles). Sadleir 1108. Sterling 456. Wolff 2979. This presentation copy was given to the Duchess of Abercorn (Mary Anna Curzon-Howe Hamilton, great- great- grandmother of Princess Diana), in early November of 1895, just after publication and before the official 1896 title page publication date. There is also a autograph signed presentation letter on Hardy’s Max Gate, Dorchester stationery tipped onto the front pastedown. It reads: “Nov 4, 1895. Dear Duchess of Abercorn: I shall be pleased if you will accept the copy of my new book—”Jude the Obscure”—sent to-day—this being the first novel I have written since our conversation at Lady Jeune’s. Even if you do not like it you will, I am sure, understand & sympathize with the shadowy personages it concerns. Yours sincerely, Thomas Hardy.” The Duchess of Abercorn, in addition to being a prominent member of society, was a fan of Hardy’s work. Hardy’s modesty in this letter was entirely unnecessary and probably feigned. When Hardy first met the Duchess, Tess of the d’Ubervilles was all the rage and Hardy had been transported into high society. The Duchess was swept up in the controversy Tess created. At dinner parties, the Duchess claimed to divide her guests based on their opinion of Tess in Hardy’s Tess of the d’Ubervilles (whether she was a “wronged innocent” or a “harlot”). The Duchess supported the former assessment and chose to associate only with those who agreed with her. It was no wonder that the Duchess sought Hardy out at the home of Lady Jeune, one of the most popular hostesses in London and a close friend of Edith Wharton. This presentation copy speaks to Hardy’s newly elevated status in London’s social scene and offers a glimpse into the fascinating cultural circle that supported Hardy. Bookplate of prominent book collector and bibliographer Carroll Atwood Wilson, who set shipping magnate Clifton Waller Barrett on the path to collecting and helped to form his Library of American Literature at the University of Virginia.
Book extremely good, with a few spots of soiling to interior, inner paper hinges split, light rubbing to cloth extremities. Exceptionally rare dust jacket with silk reinforcement to verso, front and rear panels near-fine, a bit of toning, joints split, chipping to spine extremities affecting the “e” in the word “Jude.” A most desirable presentation copy, nearly unobtainable in dust jacket.
