HARDY, Thomas (1840-1928). The Woodlanders. London: Macmillan and Co., 1887.

3 volumes, 8vo. Half-titles, EXTRA ILLUSTRATED WITH 16 ORIGINAL WATERCOLORS (possibly by Bath artist Samuel Poole) depicting places referred to in the story and with the addition of hand-lettered title-page and list of illustrations. Early 20th century crushed green levant gilt, filet border gilt featuring four inlaid pink roses at each corner, spines in 6 compartments with 5 raised bands, gilt-lettered in 2, the rest with five pink morocco onlay gilt, top edges gilt, STAMP-SIGNED BY CEDRIC CHIVERS (spines gently darkened). Provenance: Edward Dowden (1843-1913), Professor of English literature at Trinity College, literary critic and poet (signatures to half-titles).

FIRST EDITION IN BOOK FORM, one of only 860 copies bound-up. Originally published as a serial in Macmillan’s Magazine in May 1886-April 1887, and is said to have been the author’s favorite among the novels he wrote. Purdy, p. 54-57; Sadlier 1120; Wolff 3002. IN A FINE BINDING BY CHIVERS.