Thomas Hardy — Jude the Obscure

London, Osgood, McIlvaine, 1896 . First edition. Cloth. The first edition, first state of Thomas Hardy's celebrated Wessex Novel, 'Jude the Obscure', in the publisher's original cloth binding. The first edition of Thomas Hardy's final complete novel. Serialised in December 1894, and first published in book form in 1895, though the title page states 1896.First edition, first state, with all leaves including partial blanks from gatherings A to H numbered. Purdy p.86.With an etched frontispiece from H. Macbeth-Raeburn, and an illustrated map of Wessex to the rear.Bookplate of Hugh S. Walker 1896 to the front pastedown.Volume VIII of Hardy's Wessex Novels, this work follows working class stonemason Jude Fawley and his ambitions to become a scholar. In the publisher's original cloth binding. Externally, bright. Bump to back strip tail, with loss of cloth and light fraying to back strip head. Hinges strained, and just a touch tender. Bookplate to front pastedown. Internally, firmly bound. Pages clean and bright. Very Good . Ill.: Not Stated. Very Good .