The Return of the Native.

HARDY, Thomas.

Item Number: 143927

London: Smith, Elder, & Co, 1878.

First edition in book form, first issue of Hardy’s sixth published novel without the single quotation mark after “A Pair of Blue Eyes” on the title-page of the first volume. Octavo, three volumes bound in full crushed levant morocco by Worsfold, gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling and maple leaf cornerpieces to the front and rear panels, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles stamp-signed by Worsfold, marbled endpapers, top edge gilt, half-titles, engraved frontispiece map in volume one, original cloth bound in at rear of each volume. The Return of the Native was first published serially in Belgravia from January to December 1878. The first edition in book form of 1,000 copies incorporated several new chapter titles as well as other deletions and additions to the text. Purdy pp. 24-27; Sadleir 1113; Wilson 49. In very good condition.

The Return of the Native is Thomas Hardy's sixth published novel. It first appeared in the magazine Belgravia, a publication known for its sensationalism, and was presented in twelve monthly installments from January to December 1878. Because of the novel's controversial themes, Hardy had some difficulty finding a publisher; reviews, however, though somewhat mixed, were generally positive. In the twentieth century, The Return of the Native became one of Hardy's most popular and highly regarded novels.