Books

London: Smith, Elder & Co, 1878. First Edition. Hardcover. Fair. Octavos. Three volumes. Publisher’s original brown cloth, titled and decorated in blind, gilt, and black on the upper board and spine, and in blind on the lower board. First edition, with the missing apostrophe on the title page of Vol. 1 and the double rule in blind on the rear board. Volume 1 lacking the top inch of the spine cloth, both hinges cracked but holding; Volume 2 with the spine head perished, Volume 3 with the rear hinge starting, and signature “M” loosening; all volumes quite scuffed and dust-soiled, with corners and edges worn. Scarce in the original cloth.

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.