London: Printed for T. Egerton, 1813. First edition. An exceptionally rare set, unrestored and in its first binding. Bound in full contemporary tree calf, red morocco spine labels and decorative gilt on the spine. Gilt unicorn device at the crown of each volume, corresponding to the family crest of Sir John Thomas Selwin (1789-1869) (whose bookplate appears on each paste-down). Lacking the half-title to volume 1, but including the original half titles to volumes 2 and 3, otherwise complete. Bindings holding well, but outer joints starting on volume 3. Internal contents with some foxing, but generally a fresh, authentic set. Scarce thus, in an unrestored contemporary binding and with 2 of the 3 half-titles. The renowned Austen bibliographer, Geoffrey Keynes’ copy did not have half titles, nor do the Bodleian or Cambridge University library copies. A very attractive example, housed in a custom quarter-leather clamshell case.

Austen was not yet 20 (like Elizabeth Bennet) when she drafted the novel, under the title First Impressions, between October 1796 and August 1797 at Steventon. It was declined by the publisher Cadell, and subsequently, underwent major revisions. The title also had to be changed to Pride & Prejudice, as the Minerva Press published a novel entitled First Impressions by Margaret Holford in 1800. Finally, in late 1812, the novel was accepted by Egerton and published in early 1813 in boards in an edition of probably 1,500 copies (Keynes). The book sold well and was obviously much talked about, not least because of the unknown identity of the author. Anne Isabella Milbanke (the future Lady Byron) called it “ a very superior work” and “the most probable fiction I have ever read.” Madame de Staël borrowed a copy during her stay in London in 1813. The dramatist Richard Sheridan described it as “the cleverest thing he [had] ever read” - whereas, according to Jane’s Brother Henry, an unidentified “gentleman” supposedly remarked that “[he] should like to know who is the author, for it is much too clever to have been written by a woman.” In fact, almost 200 years later it is as popular as ever with the number of adaptations steadily increasing.

Garside and Schöwerling 1813:7. Gilson A3. Keynes 3. Sadleir 62b (Item #6073)