WESSEX

8.5 x 13.5 cm sepia shiny landscape photographic print on card with rounded corners. Laid down on grey paper backing. In fair condition, fading slightly, with 'T. Hardy wrote Return of the Native here' in top right-hand corner and 'RIVERSIDE' in bottom right hand corner. Shows frontage of house, with path leading to it and tree to the left of the foreground. 'The Return of the Native' was published in 1878.

34 + [1]pp., 12mo. In fair condition, on aged paper, a little ruckled. Advertisement for 'Jan Cladpole's Trip to Merricur' ('Just published') on last page. A three-page preface is followed by the poem, in 152 four-line stanzas, with pp.33-34 carrying another poem titled 'Tom Cladpole's Return'. Surprisingly uncommon.

Harper (1863-1943) was a writer and charming 'pen-artist'. His 'The Hardy country: literary landmarks of the Wessex novels' was published by A. and C. Black in 1904 and reprinted in 1911 and 1925. Quarto scrapbook of approximately fifty leaves. Leather half-binding in poor condition, worn and with much loss to spine. Internally very good, with minor spotting and discoloration. The cuttings, from newspapers as diverse as the Weymouth Telegraph and the New York Post, are mostly laid down, with several on slips of the Author's Clippings Bureau.