3. AUSTEN, Jane (1775-1817).
Northanger Abbey : And Persuasion. By the author of “Pride and Predjudice,” “Mansfield-Park,”... with a biographical notice of the author. London: John Murray, 1818. 4 vols. 12mo. ( 175 x 100 mm., 7 x 4 inches) Half-titles and blanks present. Contemporary quarter deep green roan and marbled boards, spines with simple rules and gilt titles. Condition: Some very light scattered spotting and toning throughout with the joints to all slightly rubbed, front endpaper of first volume loosening and hinge tender with roan at corners a bit blunted and slightly shelfworn, volume iv with short splits to joints at ends and a hint of recoloring to leather along spine of upper cover. Provenance: Stewart Majoribanks (19th century bookplate).
a fine copy of th first editions of these two classic novels. Northanger Abbey, Austen’s sophisticated parody of the wonderfully horrid Gothic novel was in fact her first. Sold anonymously to a publisher for ten pounds and subsequently bought back for the same price years later by Austen’s brother (the unlucky publisher having no idea that the writer was also the author of the popular successes Pride and Predjudice, etc. ) Gilson A9; Keynes 9; Sadleir 62e
est. $8000 – £12000