Rare privately-printed first issue of Conrad's essay collection. According to Cagle, these copies "were sent to friends of the publisher" and preceded the trade edition by three days. Page xi of the Contents in the first state (as usual), with the "S" and "A" missing from "Tales of the Sea." Gathers twenty-six essays previously published in magazines, including two concerning the loss of the Titanic and its aftermath. Several small spots of discoloration to upper front cover, else fine in publisher's green cloth stamped in blind and gilt. Issued without a dust wrapper. Housed in a green morocco-backed cloth folding case. (Cagle A51.a).