'TWIXT LAND AND SEA

1912. Hodder & Stoughton / New York / George H. Doran Company, n.d. [1912]. Original red cloth.

First American Edition of this three-tale collection best known for "The Secret Sharer" -- Conrad's most famous short story other than "Heart of Darkness." This was Doran's first and only printing of this book (these were relatively small printings, as Conrad's popularity was then at its nadir). It was produced by Doran in collaboration with the English publisher Hodder & Stoughton -- whose name appears at the foot of the spine. Within ten months Doran sold the copyright and plates to Doubleday Page, who (due to the success of Conrad's next book CHANCE) promptly issued another printing, in similar bright red cloth but with a ship vignette added to Doran's binding. That DP&Co reprint would be noteworthy because it would be Conrad's first association with Doubleday Page (who would thereafter be his American publisher); it is interesting to note that H&S/Doran effectively created DP&Co's "Conrad style" of binding for the author's future books, as all DP&Co had to do was add a ship vignette and change the color to navy blue. This is a near-fine copy (light rubbing at the extremities). Supino A16.5.0 (this copy); Cagle A16b. Provenance: discreet bookplate of the Conrad bibliographer David J. Supino (also, his penciled notation appears on the front free endpaper).