Conrad's Congo: Joseph Conrad's Expedition to the Congo Free State, (Ed. J. H. Stape) — 1st Folio Society Ed
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Conrad's Congo: Joseph Conrad's Expedition to the Congo Free State, 1890, Joseph Conrad (Ed. J. H. Stape) — First Folio Society Edition
Publication: London, The Folio Society, 2013
Formatting: Royal 8vo, pp. xxxiv, 217.
Condition Report: Fine. A superb, evidently unread copy of this handsome production. The green cloth binding is tightly bound and perfectly square, boasting crisp corners and completely unblemished, vibrant pictorial blocking to both the front board and the spine. Internally, the text block is immaculate, with bright, crisp Abbey Wove pages entirely free of foxing, thumbing, or handling wear. The endpapers and internal hinges remain perfectly sound. The volume is accompanied by its original black paper-covered slipcase, which presents in Very Good condition; it remains structurally excellent but displays minor trace shelf-wear and light superficial scuffing to the exterior panels.
Catalogue Note: First Folio Society Edition. Uniquely compiled for The Folio Society, this handsome volume brings together the foundational texts and personal correspondence from Conrad's infamous 1890 journey.
The text is richly illustrated with a frontispiece portrait of Joseph Conrad alongside 16 pages of sepia and black-and-white plates drawn from the archives at the Royal Museum for Central Africa in Tervuren. The edition is further enhanced by attractive endpaper maps charting his journey and a striking binding design by artist Neil Gower.
While an enduringly popular and accessible title on the secondary market, copies in such immaculate, unread condition remain highly desirable for collectors of Conrad's work and Folio Society publications alike.
In 1890, fulfilling a childhood dream, Joseph Conrad travelled to Central Africa to captain a paddle-steamer on the Congo River. However, he soon discovered the brutal, harrowing reality of the colonial enterprise, famously describing it as "the vilest scramble for loot that ever disfigured the history of human conscience." This formative journey served as the primary genesis for his literary masterpiece, Heart of Darkness. Uniquely collating his personal ship's log ('The Up-river Book'), his profound 'Congo Diary', private letters to family and friends, and the striking short story 'An Outpost of Progress', this compilation provides an intimate, unfiltered glimpse into the very experiences that forged the worldview of one of literature's greatest writers.
Book Condition: Fine
Book Authors: Joseph Conrad, J. H. Stape, Adam Hochschild
Book Publisher: The Folio Society
Book Language: English
Narrative Type: Non-Fiction
Genre: History
Book edition: First Edition
Signed: No
Book Pages: 251
Book Publication Year: 2013
Book Publication Date:
Book Binding: Hardcover (Cloth)
Illustrator: Neil Gower
Book Series: N/A
Country/region of manufacture: Cornwall, United Kingdom
Book Dimensions:
Book Condition Guide
| Condition | Description |
|---|---|
| New | A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage. |
| As New | The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years. |
| Fine | The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked. |
| Near Fine | The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition. |
| Very Good | The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present. |
| Good | A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy. |
| Fair | A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity. |
| Poor | A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance. |
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