Letters of Jane Austen
( Jane AUSTEN ) AUSTEN, Jane
Edited with an Introduction and Critical Remarks by Edward, Lord Brabourne.
BRIGHT, CRISP COPY OF THE ORIGINAL EDITION
Published: Richard Bentley, 1884
Stock code: 50331
Price: £950.00
2 vols., 8vo., First Edition [Sole Edition], with portrait and landscape frontispieces (original tissue guards present), neat contemporary uniform signature on half-titles; original brown cloth, bevelled boards, upper boards blocked with gilt JA monogram, gilt backs, chocolate endpapers, uncut, a remarkably bright, fresh copy.
BRIGHT, FRESH COPY OF THE FIRST [AND SOLE THUS] PUBLICATION OF AUSTEN'S LETTERS. The works collects 96 letters (mostly from JA to her sister Cassandra) which entered Brabourne's possession on the death of his mother Lady Knatchbull, JA's favourite niece Fanny Knight. 'Brabourne contributes a discursive biographical and critical preface, together with narrative and explanatory introductions to each section of the letters' (Gilson). The second volume contains additional material, including verses by JA and others. The frontispiece of first volume is a photograph of Zoffany's [now disputed] portrait; the second volume shows a wood-engraving by Pearson of Godmersham House (home of JA's brother Edward). EXTREMELY SCARCE, ESPECIALLY IN THIS CONDITION. Gilson G1; Keynes 165. See also Chapman p.16.