THE RESCUE. A Romance of the Shallows

1920. London & Toronto: J.M. Dent & Sons, 1920. Original green cloth stamped in gilt, with dust jacket.

First English Trade Edition (issued after the American edition and also after a 40-copy private issue of the English galley proofs). Begun in 1896, and in effect completing the trilogy begun with ALMAYER'S FOLLY and AN OUTCAST OF THE ISLANDS, "THE RESCUE was Conrad's albatross, the book which hung about his neck from the beginning of his writing career almost until the end of his life" [Cagle]. Supino provides some of Bruccoli & Reheault's thorough explanation for the curious presence of various printed "imposition numbers" that appear at the bottom of many pages -- for example "(17)" on the title page itself; it has to do with two separate printers being involved. This copy is in the primary binding, with spine lettering in gilt rather than in black. It is a fine copy (spine gilt a bit brighter than usual for this book); the pictorial jacket, which unlike that of THE ROVER does not often turn up in presentable condition, is nearly fine as well -- with scarcely any soil or wear. Supino A22.7.0, binding state A (this copy); Cagle A49b(2), binding "a". Provenance: discreet bookplate of the Conrad bibliographer David J. Supino.