Books

London: Smith, Elder, & Co, 1878. FIRST EDITION IN BOOK FORM, FIRST ISSUE, without the single quotation mark after "A Pair of Blue Eyes" on the title-page of the first volume. Frontispiece map by Hardy of the scene of the story in Volume I. vi, 303; vi, 297, [3]; vi, 320 pp. 2 pages of undated ads in Volume II with 2 Hardy titles mentioned. 3 vols. 8vo. Publisher's brown cloth decorated with black and gilt, light rubbing overall, hinges of volume two tender, bookplates of Carol Atwood Wilson; in a custom blue half-morocco clamshell slipcase and chemise. FIRST EDITION IN BOOK FORM, FIRST ISSUE, without the single quotation mark after "A Pair of Blue Eyes" on the title-page of the first volume. Frontispiece map by Hardy of the scene of the story in Volume I. vi, 303; vi, 297, [3]; vi, 320 pp. 2 pages of undated ads in Volume II with 2 Hardy titles mentioned. 3 vols. 8vo. The Return of the Native was first published serially in Belgravia from January to December 1878. The first…

The Return of the Native is one of Thomas Hardy's novels of character and environment, first published as a serial in the magazine Belgravia, a publication known for its sensationalism, and was presented in twelve monthly installments from January to December 1878. The novel follows the lives of people in the fictional Egdon Heath, a symbol of Hardy's vision of nature and human passions.

Identifying a first edition of 'The Return of the Native' involves checking the publisher and ensuring it is Smith, Elder & Co., looking for the date 1878, and confirming it was published in three volumes.