THE WOODLANDERS (Presentation Copy Inscribed By the Author to His Second Wife, Florence Hardy) by Hardy, Thomas

London: Osgood, McIlvaine Hardy, Thomas. THE WOODLANDERS. London: Osgood, McIlvaine, 1906. Later Edition. This is the PRESENTATION COPY given by the author to his future second wife, Florence Emily Dugdale, during the time they first began their secret courtship, four years before the death of the first Mrs. Hardy. At the time of its presentation, it was the most current version of the novel and it is inscribed: "To/ Miss F. E. Dugdale/With the Author's Kind Regards/Christmas 1908." The copy has been well-read by the second Mrs. Hardy as one might expect and shows some wear but little tear, still in very nice original condition without major flaw. Despite Hardy's formality of inscription, he was already quite drawn to Miss Dugdale by this time and a more intimate presentation copy of this title would be hard to find. Spectacular association. Housed in a new quarter-morocco slipcase.. Inscribed By Author. Decorative Cloth. Very Good.