This beautiful luxury edition of the Novels of Jane Austen was published by Heron Books in the 1970's (the books are not dated at the front but there are various 1970's dates at the back). The set includes all her full length novels - Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma, Sense and Sensibility, and Persuasion and Northanger Abbey (which are in one volume together). The luxury lambskin binding features 23ct gold decoration to the front boards and spines, and the text block edges are gilt. Each volume is illustrated by a different artist.
The books are in very good condition and have obviously been well looked after. There are a handful of condition points to be aware of. There is a small stain to the bottom of one of the text block edges (see photo) and the ribbon page markers are discoloured and faded. There is light wear to the corners and bumping to the spine ends. The top edges of the text blocks are dulled.
Inside, there are no inscriptions or dedications and the pages are clean and bright with minor age toning. There is light discolouration to the moiré silk endpapers. The front free endpaper and the back free endpaper in Pride and Prejudice have come unglued from their adjoining pages.
There are beautiful black and white illustrations throughout the book...which makes it an extra special read :)
Dimensions of each volume approximately 21cm x 12.7cm x 2.5cm.
The 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 bubble wrap is oxo-degradable and the clear bubble wrap is 100% recyclable. I also reuse boxes when I feel it's appropriate (if the boxes are sturdy enough).