Austen, Jane

3 volumes, 12mo, FIRST EDITION, half-titles, full calf by Riviere & Son, spine gilt in compartments, gilt dentelles, all edges gilt, half-title to vol. 1 reinserted and supplied from another copy and with repaired tear to fore-edge, some slight offsetting, spines a touch rubbed in places

Garside and Schöwerling 1813:7; Gilson A3; Keynes 3; Sadleir 62b

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."

Austen wrote the first draft of Pride and Prejudice, using the provisional title "First Impressions", between October 1796 and August 1797, when she was the same age as her heroine Elizabeth Bennet, "not one and twenty". Following the publication of a second edition within the same year, twenty million copies have been sold worldwide, inspiring multiple dramatic, cinematic and other adaptations.