First edition, in original cloth
The Trumpet Major.
London: Smith, Elder & Co, 1880.
Price: $7,500.00
About the item
First edition, one of 1000 copies. vi, 295; vi, 276; vi, 259 pp. 3 vols. 8vo. First edition, in original cloth. Original red diagonal-fine-ribbed cloth, upper covers blocked in black with vignettes designed by Hardy, spines stamped in gilt and black with standard, sword and bugle, the less common secondary binding with three-rule border on lower covers. Spines a touch toned, hinges volume 2 cracked, minor soiling and wear to covers, still an attractive copy. Housed in red cloth folding chemise and slipcase. Purdy, pp. 31-35. Provenance: T.E. Harrison, Whitburn (bookplates).
Item #312336
First edition of Hardy's "primarily comic but sometimes poignant Wessex story of sexual rivalry and fraternal loyalty during the period of the Napoleonic wars" (ODNB), an effort lighter in tone than his previous novel, The Return of the Native, which was not well received.
