![[AUSTEN, Jane (1775-1817)]. Sense and Sensibility: A novel ... by a lady, London: printed for the Author by C. Roworth, published by T. Egerton, 1811.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2001/CSK/2001_CSK_09122_0219_000(030435).jpg?w=1)
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[AUSTEN, Jane (1775-1817)]. Sense and Sensibility: A novel ... by a lady, London: printed for the Author by C. Roworth, published by T. Egerton, 1811.
3 volumes, 12°, half titles (some browning and spotting mainly to vol. I), contemporary mottled calf by Lubbock of Newcastle, with binder's label in volume I, covers with gilt roll-tool borders (rebacked with spine lettered and decorated in gilt, lightly rubbed, some flaking). Provenance: John Waldie (armorial bookplate).
FIRST EDITION of Jane Austen's first published novel. The first version of Sense and Sensibility is known to have been written about 1795 in the form of letters. It was then revised and prepared for the press in the first year of Jane Austen's residence at Chawton, 1809-1810. Publication, undertaken on a commission basis, was not advertised until 30 October, 1811. The price of the new novel was 15 shillings in boards, and although the size of the edition is not known, Keynes suggests it was no more than 1000 or even 750 copies. The first edition sold out in less than two years. Jane Austen wrote delightedly to her brother Francis from Chawton, 3 July 1813 (Letter 81): "You will be glad to hear that every copy of Sense and Sensibility is sold and that it has brought me £140 beside the copyright, if that should ever be of any value." The second edition appeared in 1813. Gilson A1; Keynes p. 8; Sadleir 62b. (3)
3 volumes, 12°, half titles (some browning and spotting mainly to vol. I), contemporary mottled calf by Lubbock of Newcastle, with binder's label in volume I, covers with gilt roll-tool borders (rebacked with spine lettered and decorated in gilt, lightly rubbed, some flaking). Provenance: John Waldie (armorial bookplate).
FIRST EDITION of Jane Austen's first published novel. The first version of Sense and Sensibility is known to have been written about 1795 in the form of letters. It was then revised and prepared for the press in the first year of Jane Austen's residence at Chawton, 1809-1810. Publication, undertaken on a commission basis, was not advertised until 30 October, 1811. The price of the new novel was 15 shillings in boards, and although the size of the edition is not known, Keynes suggests it was no more than 1000 or even 750 copies. The first edition sold out in less than two years. Jane Austen wrote delightedly to her brother Francis from Chawton, 3 July 1813 (Letter 81): "You will be glad to hear that every copy of Sense and Sensibility is sold and that it has brought me £140 beside the copyright, if that should ever be of any value." The second edition appeared in 1813. Gilson A1; Keynes p. 8; Sadleir 62b. (3)
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