Suspense, Joseph Conrad — 1st Edition

£200.00

Suspense, Joseph Conrad — 1st Edition

Name: Suspense, Joseph Conrad — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6096
Price: 200.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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£200.00

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Publication: London, J. M. Dent & Sons Ltd., 1925

Formatting: Large Crown 8vo, pp. x, 304.

Condition Report: Very Good. The publisher’s original fine-ribbed maroon cloth remains remarkably bright and sharp, with the gilt lettering and ship motif on the spine unoxidised and highly legible. The binding is tight and square, showing only negligible rubbing to the spine extremities and sharp, unbumped corners. The text block is generally clean, though the untrimmed fore-edge alongside the top and bottom edges display scattered, moderate foxing, which occasionally encroaches into the preliminary and terminal margins. The original Thomas Derrick-illustrated dust wrapper is unclipped (retaining the 7/6 Net price) but is heavily worn, exhibiting a substantial chip to the upper front panel that results in the loss of the 'P' in 'SUSPENSE', alongside extensive historical internal tape backing applied to reinforce folds and edge-tears.

Catalogue Note: First English edition, first impression. Following the American edition by Doubleday, Page & Co. published mere days prior, this J. M. Dent edition notably contains an exclusive three-page introduction by Richard Curle. Furthermore, the text incorporates several authorial revisions that were omitted from the American release.

Featuring a striking frontispiece illustration of Conrad and David Bone aboard the Tuscania by Muirhead Bone, the work is a significant testament to Conrad’s final creative period.

Finding copies retaining the original illustrated Thomas Derrick dust wrapper is increasingly scarce on the open market, making this an appealing acquisition despite the wrapper's structural flaws.

Suspense represents Joseph Conrad’s final, tragically unfinished masterpiece. Leaving behind nearly 90,000 words at the time of his death, Conrad crafted a sprawling, atmospheric narrative that departs from his usual maritime settings to immerse the reader in the political intrigue and shadowy romance of the Napoleonic era. Centred around a young Englishman entangled in the complex plots surrounding the exiled Emperor, this monumental fragment stands as a testament to Conrad's enduring narrative power and his deep, abiding fascination with European history.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Joseph Conrad

Book Publisher: J. M. Dent & Sons Ltd.

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Historical Fiction

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 314

Book Publication Year: 1925

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: Muirhead Bone & Thomas Derrick

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: London, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

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.