The Works of Thomas Hardy, Signed Limited edition with Autograph Letter Signed; 37 volumes [Including Far from the Madding Crowd; The Mayor of Casterbridge; Jude the Obscure; Tess of the D'Urbervilles; The Trumpet-Major; Two on a Tower; The Well-Beloved.].
London: Macmillan, 1919-20. Mellstock Edition. Hardcover. One of 500 copies signed by Hardy, with an ALS from Hardy to Mr. Duncke in 1913 sent from his home Max Gate, Dorchester re: publication of poems. Bound by Bayntun in full black morocco, spine in six compartments, raised bands, with a restrained gilt rules and dots design on the spine and boards. Handmade watercolor endpapers, gilt inner doublure with endpaper panel. Top edge gilt, others untrimmed, silk bookmarks.
ALS from Hardy to Mr. Duncke (or Duncker?) a German publisher dated 20 Sept 1913, sent from his home Max Gate, Dorchester. In the letter, he refers to Duncke's request for "something from me for the magazine." He sends some new verses of "a dramatic kind that may suit, on the chance of your edition being able to print them before I bring them out in a volume of poetry in the early spring of 1914."
Thomas Hardy was an English novelist and poet. A Victorian realist in the tradition of George Eliot, he was influenced both in his novels and in his poetry by Romanticism, especially William Wordsworth. He was highly critical of much in Victorian society, especially on the declining status of rural people in Britain, such as those from his native South West England. While Hardy wrote poetry throughout his life and regarded himself primarily as a poet, his first collection was not published until 1898. Initially, therefore, he gained fame as the author of such novels as Far from the Madding Crowd (1874), The Mayor of Casterbridge (1886), Tess of the d'Urbervilles (1891), and Jude the Obscure (1895). During his lifetime, Hardy's poetry was acclaimed by younger poets (particularly the Georgians) who viewed him as a mentor. After his death his poems were lauded by Ezra Pound, W. H. Auden and Philip Larkin. (Wikipedia). In fine condition. Item #27190
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