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Northanger Abbey: and Persuasion. London: John Murray, 1818.
Details
[AUSTEN, Jane (1775-1817)].
Northanger Abbey: and Persuasion. London: John Murray, 1818.
First editions of both novels, with all half-titles in a contemporary binding. 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 (174 x 104mm). Half-titles in all volumes (lacking the blank P8, occasional faintest browning). Contemporary straight-grained half sheep over marbled boards, black spine labels lettered in gilt. Provenance: Lord Stewart (1778-1854, later 3rd Marquess of Londonderry; engraved armorial bookplate in each volume).
Northanger Abbey: and Persuasion. London: John Murray, 1818.
First editions of both novels, with all half-titles in a contemporary binding. 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 (174 x 104mm). Half-titles in all volumes (lacking the blank P8, occasional faintest browning). Contemporary straight-grained half sheep over marbled boards, black spine labels lettered in gilt. Provenance: Lord Stewart (1778-1854, later 3rd Marquess of Londonderry; engraved armorial bookplate in each volume).
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Sale room notice
Please note that the measurements for this set are 174 x 104mm and not as first stated in the online catalogue.
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