Jude The Obscure. Hardy, Thomas.

First edition in book form, this copy entirely in the first state (pagination to all partially blank pages in signature A-H). Jude the Obscure was Hardy's last novel, in which he "deliberately [attacked] the existing educational system and marriage laws. The novel's sexual directness fuelled the hostility of its reception in some quarters, and while Hardy affected to laugh off a bishop's claim to have consigned the book to the flames he could not easily remain indifferent to reviews with headings such as 'Jude the Obscene' and 'Hardy the Degenerate'" (ODNB). It originally appeared as a bowdlerized serial in Harper's Magazine from December 1894 to November 1895. The European and American editions were published simultaneously in London and New York and post-dated 1896. Octavo (190 x 126 mm). Finely bound by the Chelsea Bindery in dark green morocco, spine lettered and decorated in gilt, raised bands, single rule to boards, twin rule to turn-ins, burgundy endpapers, gilt edges. With an etching by H. Macbeth-Raeburn and a map of Wessex. A fine copy.