TWIXT LAND & SEA. Tales by Conrad, Joseph - 1912

1912. A Smile of Fortune | The Secret Sharer | Freya of the Seven Isles. London: J. M. Dent & Sons, 1912. Original olive green cloth.

First Edition, second binding state (of three). This collection of three tales is known primarily for the middle one, "The Secret Sharer" -- Conrad's best-known short story excepting "Heart of Darkness." The binder made an error on the binding of 'TWIXT LAND & SEA, revealed by this copy: on the front cover he listed the third tale as "Freya of the Secret Isles." The error was discovered after only about twenty copies had been issued (the rare first binding state); on the other copies that had already been bound up, the word "Secret" was buffed out and the word "Seven" printed over it -- though the erroneous word remains evident underneath (the second binding state, as here). Finally, those copies not yet bound up (the majority) were done so in a smoother cloth, with the error completely corrected. This copy is in very good-plus condition (scarcely any wear, but the spine and a corner of the front cover are sun-faded); there is very little foxing within. Cagle A16a.1, binding b.