THE CLARENDON AUSTEN, HANDSOMELY BOUND AND ILLUSTRATED

AUSTEN, Jane. The Novels. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1926. Five volumes. Octavo, modern full green morocco, elaborately gilt-decorated spines, raised bands, red morocco spine labels, top edges gilt, uncut. $4800.

Mixed second and third editions of the Clarendon Austen, illustrated with over 40 plates from contemporary sources, and with reproduction title pages from the first editions, handsomely bound.

Includes Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Northanger Abbey, Persuasion, Mansfield Park, and Emma. This text of this edition is based on the collation of the early editions by R.W. Chapman; the Clarendon editions were the first to use "contemporary illustrations": "An undated memorandum in the Press's files states 'The publishers are bitterly opposed to any imaginative illustrations, and would cheerfully have no illustrations at all. But they would be in favour of a few objective illustrations" (Gilson E150). First issued in 1923 in a limited large-paper edition; this mixed second and third edition set includes addenda and additional notes. Second editions: Mansfield Park and Pride and Prejudice (third impression). Third editions: Emma, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, and Sense and Sensibility. Gilson E150.

Fine condition.