Austen, Jane

3 volumes, 12mo, FIRST EDITION, half-titles supplied in facsimile, paper watermarked "1815 | H", "Budgen 1815" and "J Budgen 1815", 1p. publisher's advertisements on verso of the final leaf of text in volume 3, later full calf, gilt border, flat spine gilt, titled in gilt on red labels, volume numbers and dated in gilt on green labels, gilt dentelles, marbled endpapers, together in collector's brown slipcase, many leaves strengthened at gutter, some spotting and browning, some repairs to page edges

Garside and Schöwerling 1816:16; Gilson A8; Keynes 8; Sadleir 62d

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Although Austen suffered the "greatest anxiety" about her fourth novel and feared that "...to those readers who have preferred "Pride and Prejudice" it will appear inferior in wit, and to those who have preferred "Mansfield Park" very inferior in good sense..." (from a letter to James Stainer Clarke, 11 December 1815), it soon came to be regarded as one of the greatest of all English novels.