Lot 90 , Austen, Jane - (Collected Novels), 5 vols, 1st editions of Bentley’s Standard Novels Edition, pictorial engraved and printed title and frontispiece to each volume, mid/later 19th calf and marbled boards, gilt-ruled and d

° Austen, Jane - (Collected Novels), 5 vols, 1st editions of Bentley’s Standard Novels Edition, pictorial engraved and printed title and frontispiece to each volume, mid/later 19th calf and marbled boards, gilt-ruled and decorated panelled spines, marbled endpapers and edges, small crown 8vo, London, (1832)-33 *The first volume Sense and Sensibility) although dated 1833, was published late December 1832; this volume includes the ‘’Memoirs of Miss Austen’’, by her brother-the Rev. Henry Austen. These volumes were reissued as an ‘’official’’ collected edition in October of the same year, having new printed titles and being numbered.

£1,200-1,600

Condition:
General note - Gilson D1-D5 (Sense and Sensibility, Emma, Northanger Abbey/Persuasion, Pride and Prejudice); Bentley’s Standard Novels vols. XXIII, XXV, XXVII, XXVIII and XXX. All vols. lack the half titles/series leaf, also the protective tissue (frontispieces). All vols. with a blank leaf at front and back (doubtless added when rebound). Conforming to Gilson - unless otherwise noted, including the frontispiece legend. This is noted for ‘’Sense and Sensibility’’, ie. volumes title, followed by quotation; however, despite the titles being given in all other volumes, Gilson notes the quotation only. Individual vols:- ‘’Sense and Sensibility’’ - 1833 on title, but published December 1832, lacks 2 final blanks (Y7 and 8), upper joint cracked and spine loose, lower joint weak, some spine wear (especially head and tail) and on corners, spotting on frontispiece and engraved title margins, little on printed title and elsewhere (incl. upper margins pp. 271-77), also at end (incl. 330-31). These have page-length thin vertical stains - p.330 all readable, p.331 mostly on blank paper end of text. This vol. could be rebacked using original spine. Emma - upper joint cracked at foot of spine (2.5cms. approx.), otherwise spine and boards good, little wear on corners, prelims. a little marked and dusted, text with intermittent slight foxing, more noticeable in a few places. Mansfield Park - lacks advert. leaf and blank at end of text (2E5 and 6), good spines and boards, slight corner wear, some prelims. foxing and dusting, text slight and intermittent only - save final 2 leaves. Northanger Abbey/Persuasion - with the 2 printed titles, spine and boards reasonable - save 2nd label (Jane Austen) defective (but partly preserved loose), spotting and browning on frontis. and engraved title, text generally clean, but damage to final leaves (pp. 431-440) - small piece cut away at top margin corners, pp.431-438 (just clear of page no’s.)approx. 2x1cms., larger piece pp. 439-440 (2x3cms), takes out most of page nos. and touches last/first letter end/beginning of their first lines, lacks also the end inserted blank and free endpaper, the pastedown defaced down left hand side. Pride and Prejudice - some leather wear, boards good, some browning and spotting to prelims., little elsewhere - but generally good.

Sold for £4,200