A.L. Burt Company Edition of 'Far From the Madding Crowd' by Thomas Hardy

Story

Thomas Hardy's 1874 tale of the spirited Bathsheba Everdene was his first major hit, but this specific copy tells a second story: the rise of the American middle-class reader. Publishers like A.L. Burt made 'high' literature accessible to everyone, not just the elite.

Maker / Origin

Albert Levi Burt began his career as a traveling salesman before founding his publishing house in 1883. He built an empire by recognizing that everyday families were hungry for affordable, well-made editions of the world's greatest stories, a legacy his sons continued until 1937.

Condition & Value

The book shows typical shelf wear, with some softening at the spine ends and light toning to the pages consistent with its age. The absence of the original dust jacket (the 'wrapper') is the primary factor keeping the value in the modest range. Condition is good for its age, but not 'fine'.