Far from the Madding Crowd – First Edition, 1874 – Complete Two-Volume Set – Illustrated

Title: Far from the Madding Crowd – First Edition, 1874 – Complete Two-Volume Set – Illustrated Author: Thomas Hardy Publisher: Smith, Elder & Co., 15 Waterloo Place, London Publication date: 1874 Edition: First edition in book form Binding: Hardback, two volumes, period half-leather bindings Condition: Good Description: An important and increasingly sought-after early edition of Thomas Hardy's celebrated novel Far from the Madding Crowd, published in London by Smith, Elder & Co. in 1874. Complete in two volumes. This is the first edition in book form of Hardy's fourth novel, originally published anonymously in twelve monthly instalments in The Cornhill Magazine during 1874. The novel established Hardy's reputation as a major Victorian novelist and introduced readers to his fictional Wessex, the setting for many of his greatest works. The first edition was issued in a limited printing of approximately 1,000 copies. The original edition contains twelve wood-engraved illustrations by Helen Paterson, subsequently Helen Allingham, including illustrated frontispieces. The presence of all twelve illustrations in this particular set requires confirmation. The volumes are bound in attractive period brown cloth and dark half-leather, with leather corner pieces and raised spine bands. The spines retain their original gilt lettering, identifying the title and individual volumes. Condition: Both volumes present attractively, retaining their period bindings. The boards exhibit general surface rubbing and minor marks consistent with age. The leather corners and spine extremities show visible rubbing and wear, with some loss of surface colour. The gilt spine lettering remains clear and legible. The photographed pages show generally clean and readable text, with some age-related discolouration and occasional marks. There is visible wear and paper disturbance around the inner margins of the illustrated title-page opening in Volume II. The volumes retain an attractive nineteenth-century appearance, with the original character of the bindings preserved. Please examine the accompanying photographs, which form part of the condition description. An important early edition of one of the defining novels of Victorian English literature, particularly appealing to collectors of Thomas Hardy, Victorian fiction and nineteenth-century illustrated books. Bibliographical references: Purdy, pp. 13–20; Sadleir 1105.…