Description
First edition The Trumpet-Major by Thomas Hardy, published by Smith, Elder, & Co., in 1880. This story is complete in three volumes, featuring the scarce three-rule binding.
Octavo, [three volumes], vi, 295pp, [1]; vi, 276pp; vi, 259pp, [1]. Publisher’s full red cloth, title in black on front covers with two vignettes stamped in black. Title in gilt on spines. This is Purdy’s preferred second state and Sadleir’s variant B binding, with triple blind ruling on the rear covers and a comma between Smith and Elder at tail of spine. Each volume lists printer’s imprint “Spottiswoode and Co.” at the bottom of the final page. Hinges of all three volumes showing wear, text blocks otherwise solid. Lightly soiled spines, bumped corners, and some staining to cloth covers. Internally clean. A very good set.
(Purdy 31-35) (Sadleir 1115) (Woolf 2995)
Housed in a custom navy blue chemise, title in gilt on blue morocco spine.
The Trumpet-Major was serialized in “Good Words,” an Evangelical publication, from January-December 1880. The serialization featured 33 illustrations by John Collier.
This copy is the first edition in book form; one of 1,000 sets produced. 600 sets in the first state binding featured two blind rules on rear covers, 250 sets were held back for two years, and just 150 sets were bound with the three blind rules on rear covers.
The Trumpet-Major is Thomas Hardy’s only historical novel, set in Weymouth, England, during the Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815).
