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Northanger Abbey: and Persuasion. London: John Murray, 1818
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[AUSTEN, Jane (1775-1817)]
Northanger Abbey: and Persuasion. London: John Murray, 1818
First editions of both novels in a contemporary binding preserving several deckle edges. Published the year after the author’s death in a run of 1750 copies, this first edition combines Northanger Abbey, the first of Austen’s novels to be completed for publication, with Persuasion, the very last of her completed works. According to the author's sister, Cassandra, Northanger Abbey was written in the years 1798-1799, although it has been suggested ‘a first version may have been written as early as 1794’ (Gilson, p. 82). In 1803, Austen sold the manuscript, then entitled Susan, to the London publisher Richard Crosby and Son., for £10. When it failed to appear after six years, she asked Mr Crosby for information, only to be told that he was under no obligation to publish it and that she could have it back for the amount he had paid her. The novelist waited until 1816 to accept the offer, but despite preparing the manuscript for publication once more, and changing the title from Susan to Catherine, still held it back. As a result, it only appeared posthumously with Persuasion in December 1817, the eventual title apparently supplied by her brother Henry Austen, who prefaced the text with a ‘Biographical Notice’ of his sister. Persuasion was begun on 8 August 1815 and completed a year later. Gilson A9.
4 volumes, 12mo (176 x 111mm). Half-titles in vols. I and II, the latter being bound before the title (lacking half-titles in vols. III-IV, and blanks P7-8 in vol. IV, some spotting). Contemporary half calf over green decorative paper boards, spines ruled and lettered in gilt (rebacked preserving backstrips, corners rubbed); modern custom morocco-edged slipcase. Provenance: ‘Mrs Mercer, 1823’ (inscription in each volume; possibly that of Frances Charlotte Reid of Auchenharvie (1793-1862), who married George Mercer of Gorthie (1772-1853) in 1810. Her ownership inscription ‘Mrs Mercer, 20 York Place’ appeared in a second edition set of Sense and Sensibility sold in these rooms on 9 June 2015) – Bloomsbury Auctions, 13 March 2008, lot 241 – Bonhams, London, 27 November 2018, lot 111.
Northanger Abbey: and Persuasion. London: John Murray, 1818
First editions of both novels in a contemporary binding preserving several deckle edges. Published the year after the author’s death in a run of 1750 copies, this first edition combines Northanger Abbey, the first of Austen’s novels to be completed for publication, with Persuasion, the very last of her completed works. According to the author's sister, Cassandra, Northanger Abbey was written in the years 1798-1799, although it has been suggested ‘a first version may have been written as early as 1794’ (Gilson, p. 82). In 1803, Austen sold the manuscript, then entitled Susan, to the London publisher Richard Crosby and Son., for £10. When it failed to appear after six years, she asked Mr Crosby for information, only to be told that he was under no obligation to publish it and that she could have it back for the amount he had paid her. The novelist waited until 1816 to accept the offer, but despite preparing the manuscript for publication once more, and changing the title from Susan to Catherine, still held it back. As a result, it only appeared posthumously with Persuasion in December 1817, the eventual title apparently supplied by her brother Henry Austen, who prefaced the text with a ‘Biographical Notice’ of his sister. Persuasion was begun on 8 August 1815 and completed a year later. Gilson A9.
4 volumes, 12mo (176 x 111mm). Half-titles in vols. I and II, the latter being bound before the title (lacking half-titles in vols. III-IV, and blanks P7-8 in vol. IV, some spotting). Contemporary half calf over green decorative paper boards, spines ruled and lettered in gilt (rebacked preserving backstrips, corners rubbed); modern custom morocco-edged slipcase. Provenance: ‘Mrs Mercer, 1823’ (inscription in each volume; possibly that of Frances Charlotte Reid of Auchenharvie (1793-1862), who married George Mercer of Gorthie (1772-1853) in 1810. Her ownership inscription ‘Mrs Mercer, 20 York Place’ appeared in a second edition set of Sense and Sensibility sold in these rooms on 9 June 2015) – Bloomsbury Auctions, 13 March 2008, lot 241 – Bonhams, London, 27 November 2018, lot 111.
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