1833 THIRD EDITION OF MANSFIELD PARK, AUSTEN'S THIRD NOVEL

AUSTEN, Jane. Mansfield Park. London: Richard Bentley, 1833. 12mo, contemporary three-quarter tan calf gilt, raised bands, red and blue morocco spine labels, marbled boards. $6500.

Third edition of Austen's beloved third novel—the first one-volume edition, and the first illustrated edition, with engraved frontispiece illustration and engraved vignette title page, handsomely bound.

"The subject of Mansfield Park is education, or the discipline and training of the feelings… [It is] an intensely moving and intelligent comedy about modern England" (Honan, 338-48). Austen's novels "were published anonymously, though the authorship was an open secret to her friends. It was first made public in a short biographical notice prefixed to the two posthumous novels in 1818. Miss Austen's genius received little recognition during her life" (DNB). "No English reissue of Austen's novels is known after 1818 until in 1832 Richard Bentley decided to include them in his series of Standard Novels… Bentley's reprinting of the novels, each complete in one volume, was presumably intended for the private buyer; there is evidence that some circulating libraries were still well supplied with copies of the original editions" (Gilson, 211). First published in 1814, with a second edition in 1816. (An American edition appeared in 1832.) With letterpress title page, dated 1833. With series title page noting that this is No. XXVII in Bentley's Standard Novels series. Gilson D3; D7.

A few instances of foxing, front inner paper hinge split; contemporary binding with minor expert restoration. A very handsome copy.