Second edition. Three volumes. 12mo. [4], 306, [2, blank]; [4], 278, [2, blank]; [4], 294, [2, blank] pp. Contemporary brown speckled calf, spines with five raised bands outlined and elaborately tooled in gilt, panels two and five lettered and numbered in gilt to dark red and black morocco labels. Housed in protective folding clamshell box by Stuart Brockman. London, T. Egerton, 1813.
The second edition of Jane Austen's first published novel in a beautiful Regency binding.
Over fifteen years after the initial draft, the first edition of Sense and Sensibility was printed at the author's expense, the print run was likely small, Keynes suggests that it may have been as low as 750 copies. However, by July 1813 the first edition had sold out and a second edition was planned, in a letter to her brother Francis Austen, Jane Austen writes rather triumphantly "You will be glad to hear that every copy of S.&S. Sold & that it has brought me £140 - besides the Copyright, if that shd ever be of any value. - I have now therefore written myself into £250.- which only makes me long for more.- I have something in hand – which I hope on the credit of P.&P. will sell well, tho’ not half so entertaining.” (Le Faye, letter 86, p.226).
An exceptional set, with some expert and subtle reinforcement to joints, foxing and browning throughout all three volumes. Remnants of old label to the top of spine panel of volume one, ink blot to p.12. Head of spine of volume three expertly , with some loss, and black morocco label starting the peal.
Gilson, A2.
