A Novel. In Two Volumes. By the Author of "Sense and Sensibility"
Pride and Prejudice A Novel. In Two Volumes. By the Author of "Sense and Sensibility"
Printed for T. Egerton, 1817.
Third edition. 12mo. Two volumes, bound in nineteenth century full green morocco, by Francis Bedford, with raised bands to the spine, the compartments richly tooled in gilt; triple ruled gilt borders to covers with floriate devices to the corners and elaborately gilt tooled turn-ins. Marbled endpapers, all edges red and gilt. Half titles to both volumes. A near fine set, internally fresh and well margined with just occasional light scattered foxing. Light wear to the front joint of vol. I. An attractive, well preserved set.
The author's second and most famous novel, which has become one of the most prominent literary works to come from the nineteenth century.
The first draft of the novel was written under the working title of 'First Impressions' in 1796. In 1797 Jane Austen's father wrote to the publisher Cadell to ask if he would publish the novel. The offer was rejected by return of post. In 1800 The Minerva Press published a novel by Margaret Holford entitled First Impressions, which probably led to Austen changing the title of the work. In the following years, Pride and Prejudice was heavily rewritten and the copyright eventually sold to Egerton in 1812. There is no record of the number of copies of the first edition, but Keynes suggests 1500 as the probable print run.
The book sold briskly and was reprinted within the year and then again in 1817. These however, were the only three editions by Austen's original publisher and the copyright was subsequently sold by Egerton's executers to Richard Bentley in 1832. Like all Regency editions of Austen's work, copies retaining the half-titles are rare.
Gilson A5
Stock ID: 46530
£19,500.00
