A Tale of the Sea
The Nigger of the "Narcissus" A Tale of the Sea
Heinemann, 1898.
First edition. Original black cloth lettered in gilt. Author's presentation copy, inscribed on the front end paper, "To Miss Watson from her very faithful friend and servant the Author. 24th Dec 1897" A very good copy but somewhat rubbed to spine ends, joints and corners. Front hinge cracking but firm and some looseness between sections. Foxing to prelims but generally fresh interally.
Helen May Watson (18751967) married Conrad's close friend Edward Lancelot Sanderson (the dedicatee of An Outcast of the Islands) in 1898. In an affectionate letter to Sanderson on 26 December 1897 sending him "all the wishes suitable to the season and which friendship may dictate" Conrad ends by referring to this copy: "My affectionate regards and duty to Miss Watson. I've sent off a copy of the 'N.' for her. You must wait for yours a little..." (Collected Letters, I, p. 435).
The Nigger of the Narcissus is considered to be Conrad's first great novel and marks the start of purple patch in his literary output upon which much of his reputation rests, taking in Lord Jim, Youth, Typhoon, Nostromo and The Secret Agent. Signed and inscribed copies of these early novels are exceptionally rare, and we can locate only two copies being offered at auction in the last forty years.
Stock ID: 32386
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