CHANCE by Conrad, Joseph - 1914

1914. A Tale in Two Parts. London: Methuen & Co., (1914). 8 pp ads dated Autumn 1913 plus 32 pp ads dated July 1913. Original green cloth decorated in gilt. First Edition of the novel that revived Conrad's career, a popular smash after about a decade without one. Conrad had been working on it since 1906. It was the success of CHANCE that caused many of his earlier works to be reprinted. This copy is in the first published state (with the cancel title leaf dated 1914 on the verso, tipped onto the stub of the leaf that had original been so dated 1913): it is believed that only about 52 copies were issued with the integral 1913 title leaf before a binder's strike delayed publication into 1914. This copy has the spine brass reading "METHVEN," the 8-page Autumn ad catalogue with THE HARROVIANS leading off p. 6, and with closing quotation marks after "Narcissus" on the half-title verso. It is in remarkably fine, bright condition (the only minor flaw is evidence of the removal of a bookplate from the front free endpaper verso). Uncommon in this condition. Cagle A17a.10. Provenance: bookplate of the renowned collector Paul Lemperly (1858-1939), whose library was sold by Parke-Bernet Galleries in 1940.