Far from the Madding Crowd by HARDY, Thomas - 1958

Cambridge: The Limited Editions Club, 1958. Hardcover. Introduction by Robert Cantwell. Engravings by Agnes Miller Parker. Small 4to. Quarter natural sheepskin with gilt spine lettering and decorative paper over boards, slipcase. xxi, 401pp. Illustrations. Near fine/near fine. Superb, tight copy of the stunning LEC production, with colophon at rear noting limitation of 1500 numbered copies (this #737) signed boldly in full by illustrator Parker -- and this copy with the separate 6" X 9" print laid in (in publisher's wraparound sleeve), signed and dated by Parker in pencil at lower margin. The same image appears on page five of the text. This tale of love and betrayal set in earthy rural southwest England, first published in 1874 to great acclaim, was turned into an epic British drama film in 1967 -- and this copy bears choice autograph additions from three of that film's major figures: Tipped neatly to front flyleaf (top to bottom) are fine, matching heavy stock 5" X 3" cards each signed and dated at upper right by ALAN "Gabriel Oak" BATES (1934-2003), who signs in black fineline and dates it 14 November 1972; TERENCE "Frank Troy" STAMP (born 1938), who signs in blue ballpoint and dates it 23 November 1971; and director JOHN SCHLESINGER (1926-2003), who signs in black fineline and dates it 23 October 1985. Bates, Stamp and Schlesinger transmittal envelopes laid in, as is publisher's 5½" X 8½" announcement leaflet. A wonderful copy with the often-absent Parker print present and extra-illustrated with film tie-ins as well. NEWMAN 287.