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Lot 211

HARDY, THOMAS. 1840-1928.
Tess of the d'Urbervilles. A Pure Woman. [London]: James R.Osgood, McIlvaine & Co., 1891.

5 December 2019, 10:00 EST
New York

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HARDY, THOMAS. 1840-1928.

Tess of the d'Urbervilles. A Pure Woman. [London]: James R.Osgood, McIlvaine & Co., 1891.
3 volumes. 8vo. Half-titles, vols 2 & 3 with final blanks, and vol 2 with initial blank, as called for. Publisher's brown cloth, with gilt honeysuckle design by Charles Ricketts, spines decoratively titled in gilt, modern cloth drop-back box. Minor rubbing to covers, spines lightly cocked.
Provenance: Alfred & G. Ivy Clark (etched bookplate).

FIRST BOOK EDITION, FIRST ISSUE, a very nice copy of one of Hardy's greatest novels. When it appeared in serial form, two scenes were removed from the serial publication by the editor, necessitating changes in plot including the introduction of a mock marriage. For the book edition, Hardy was able to "piece the trunk and limbs of the novel together" (Purdy, p 67). Banned and much-discussed at the time of publication for its frank sexuality, Hardy's tragic portrayal of "a pure woman" trapped by the mores of Victorian society still stands today as one of the most important English novels. Purdy, pp 67-78; Sadleir 1114.

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