The Trumpet-Major.: A Tale.

London: Smith, Elder & Co.,, 1880. His sole historical novel in the original cloth First edition in book form, one of 1,000 sets produced, rare in such nice examples of the original cloth illustrated from Hardy's own drawings. Set during the Napoleonic war, the author's sole historical novel was written to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Trafalgar and incorporates comic elements to move away from its darker predecessor, The Return of the Native (1878). The Trumpet-Major was published on 26 October before the conclusion of the slightly bowdlerized serial in Good Words, which ran from January to December 1880. It was a triumphant success with the critics, though inadequate public appetite led to remaindering. Of the edition, 600 sets were issued with two blind rules on the rear covers; 150 in the present three-rule binding were issued not long thereafter; and the final 250 unbound sheets were issued two years later. 3 volumes, octavo. Original red diagonal-fine-ribbed cloth, spines lettered on gilt ground and stamped in gilt and black with design of the standard, sword, and bugle, front covers lettered in black with pictorial design of an encampment and mill from a drawing by the author, rear covers with triple blind rules, cream endpapers, top edge untrimmed, others trimmed. Housed in a custom red cloth slipcase with red silk ribbon. Spines slightly faded, minor wear to tips, faint marks to rear covers, a couple of gatherings unopened; an excellent set in unusually bright cloth. Purdy, pp. 31-5; Sadleir 1115; Woolf 2995.