B A U M A N R A R E B O O K S S U M M E R 2 0 2 3 2 "FOR WHAT DO WE LIVE, BUT TO MAKE SPORT FOR OUR NEIGHBORS, AND LAUGH AT THEM IN OUR TURN?": PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, ILLUSTRATED BY HUGH THOMSON 2. (THOMSON, Hugh, illustrator) AUSTEN, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. London: George Allen, (1895). Octavo, original dark green pictorial cloth gilt, all edges gilt. $4800 Early "Peacock" edition of Jane Austen's second and most popular novel, the "rst illustrated by Hugh Thomson, with 101 charming line drawings, in lovely publisher's elaborately gilt-decorated cloth depicting a peacock spreading its feathers. "Elizabeth's own energy and de!ance of character respond to Rousseau's and the popular notion of the pliant, submissive female… None of her novels delighted Jane Austen more than Pride and Prejudice… She had given a rare example of !ction as a highly intelligent form… This remains her most popular and widely translated novel" (Honan, 313-20). The illustrator of this lovely edition, Hugh Thomson, "takes !rst place… among the genteel book illustrators" (Harthan, 238). "His style re"ected the nostalgia of the time, his !ne line drawings of rural characters and gentle countri!ed society appealed to the imagination of the public" (Olivia Fitzpatrick). He had a knack for "period costumes, coaches and horses, and elegant furniture; and his brisk style give his work irresistible charm" (Hodnett, 218). With Preface by George Saintsbury. First published in 1813; the !rst Thomson-illustrated "Peacock" edition was published in 1894, in a trade edition and a limited large-paper edition of 275 copies. Owner ink stamp; owner pencil signature. Minor foxing to preliminaries; small stain to last few text leaves, text generally clean. A few minor rubs to extremities and rear joint, cloth fresh, gilt bright. A lovely illustrated edition in near-!ne condition.
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