HARDY, Thomas. Tess of the D'Urbervilles. A Pure Woman. London: Macmillan, 1926. Large 8° (282 x 195mm). 41 wood-engraved plates and illustrations by Vivienne Gribble, folding map. Original quarter vellum (bottom corners bumped), slipcase. Provenance: Thomas Hardy (gift inscription to:) -- Florence Emily Hardy (Max Gate book label amended in manuscript).

HARDY, Thomas. Tess of the D'Urbervilles. A Pure Woman. London: Macmillan, 1926. Large 8° (282 x 195mm). 41 wood-engraved plates and illustrations by Vivienne Gribble, folding map. Original quarter vellum (bottom corners bumped), slipcase. Provenance: Thomas Hardy (gift inscription to:) -- Florence Emily Hardy (Max Gate book label amended in manuscript).

ONE OF 325 COPIES SIGNED BY HARDY, PRESENTATION COPY TO THE AUTHOR'S WIFE, inscribed: 'To: Florence Emily Hardy, from Thomas Hardy. 22 October 1926'. Hardy and Florence Dugdale (1879-1937) had met towards the end of 1905, as author and admirer, and in 1906 she began assisting him with research to complete The Dynasts. She took over the running of Max Gate after Emma Hardy died in November 1912, and the two married on 10 February 1914. A FINE ASSOCIATION. Cf. Purdy, pp.77.