Thomas Hardy — Jude the Obscure

London, Osgood, McIlvaine and Co, 1896. First edition. Cloth. The scarce first edition, first state of Thomas Hardy's last published novel, in the original cloth. The first edition, first state, with all the half blanks numbered through the signatures A-H as called for. A rare to see first state of this renowned novel. With an etched frontispiece from H. Macbeth-Raeburn, and an illustrated map of Wessex to the rear. Collated, complete. Thomas Hardy's last published novel, being Volume VIII of Hardy's Wessex Novels. The work follows working class stonemason Jude Fawley and his ambitions to become a scholar.In the publisher's original cloth. In the publisher's original cloth. Externally generally smart with small closed tears to the head of the spine, a slight lean, bumping to the extremities, and slight marks to the boards. Internally generally firmly bound with strain in places. Pages lightly age toned and generally clean with only minor spotting to the front and rear. Very Good . Ill.: None stated. Very Good .