HARDY, Thomas (1840-1928). Tess of the D'Urbervilles. London: James R. Osgood, McIlvaine and Co., 1892.

3 volumes, 8vo. Half-titles. (Hinges starting.) Original tan cloth gilt-decorated by Charles Ricketts (minor residue of library lending labels to upper covers, spines somewhat darkened and skewed). Provenance: E.C. Lovelock (ownership signature, dated 1915); Mark J. Scearce (bookplates laid in with adhesive residue on front pastedowns).

FIRST EDITION, revised second impression, one of 500 copies. Tess of the D'Urbervilles was first published, and censored, as a serial in the Graphic from July to December 1891, having being rejected by several other periodicals. The controversial sections were published separately prior to serialization but reinstated with the original text when issued in book form. Purdy, pp.67-78.