***It may look like Persuasion is missing but it is in the same volume as Northanger Abbey. For some reason the title wasn't put on the spine though***
This stunning and rare collection of the Works of Jane Austen is in a binding I've never come across before. Each volume is uniformly bound in contemporary half calf leather, with pretty floral paper boards. They were published by Richard Bentley between 1885 and 1891 - which makes me wonder if this was a custom binding for a customer.
If you are thinking of ordering from overseas, please be aware that there will be customs fees to pay to the courier.
Half leather bound editions of Jane Austen books from the Victorian era are hard to come by so I'm very excited to offer this beautiful set in my shop.
The books are in very good condition, but there are signs of wear. There is rubbing to the spine edges and ends, as well as wear to the board edges which has caused some peeling to the patterned paper. There is light bumping to the board edges and the boards are faintly tanned. The spines are darkened with some slight cracking to the surface of the leather. The corners are also worn.
More specific condition points to note -
There is a horizontal scratch to the back board of Pride and Prejudice.
There is peeling to the leather on the front board of Sense and Sensibility, and some marking.
There is scuffing to the leather of Mansfield Park and A Memoir.
Inside, the pages are tanned but there are no inscriptions or writing of any kind. The tissue guard of Emma's frontispiece is missing. Northanger Abbey and Pride and Prejudice are also missing it's tissue guard. There is minor marking to the pages but nothing of note.
Due to the rarity and value of these books, they will be sent with a tracked service. Please be aware that if you're purchasing from outside the UK, there will be customs fees to pay.
Dimensions of each volume 19cm x 13cm.
All books will be hand wrapped in patterned wallpaper and ribbon.
I use a range of eco friendly, 100% recyclable jiffy bags and boxes, and whenever possible I use brown paper tape. The green bubbled wrap is biodegradable and the clear bubble wrap is 100% recyclable. I also reuse boxes when I feel it's appropriate (if the boxes are sturdy enough).