TESS OF THE D'URBERVILLES. A Pure Woman Faithfully Presented

1892. Illustrated. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1892. 2 pp undated ads. Original terra-cotta cloth decorated in black.

First American Edition of one of Thomas Hardy's best-known, and most-filmed, novels. This edition (January 1892, 421 pages) excluded many events "more especially addressed to adult readers," including two pivotal ones: Tess's seduction/rape by her cousin Alec, and the baptism and death of her resulting baby. Then the "New and Revised Edition" (the same binding but May 1892, 455 pages) restored these two major events but left the rest of the text bowdlerized. Finally, a "New and Completely Revised Edition" (again the same (truncated) binding, but 1893, 457 pages) restored the text, more or less, back to that of the three-volume 1891 English edition. An attractive Margaret Armstrong-designed binding, this copy is in near-fine condition (very little wear, but spine gilt dull). Purdy p. 76; Gullans & Espey 112. (Inventory #: 15565)