The Works of Jane Austen in Ten Volumes, Illustrated by C.E. and H.M. Brock and edited by Reginald Brimley Johnson. Published by J.M. Dent & Co in 1898.
THE RARE NUMBERED LIMITED EDITION OF JANE AUSTEN'S NOVELS, WITH THE FAMOUS ILLUSTRATIONS OF C.E. BROCK. BEAUTIFULLY BOUND IN HALF LEATHER AND PUBLISHED IN 1898.
The Steventon Edition, number 171 of 250 numbered sets.
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19th century sets of the works of Jane Austen are notoriously rare and hard to find, being of particular desirability - especially with illustrations. Illustrated works of Jane Austen were very new at this point, with the first fully illustrated edition of Pride and Prejudice being published just four years earlier in 1894. This edition is unique for its colour illustrations which were a significant expense at the time of publication. Another special feature of this set is that it is from the famous Steventon edition, limited to just 250 sets printed for subscribers only, here beautifully bound in half morocco with very high quality gilt tooling to the spines.
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Size: 11.5 x 17.5 cm (approx., each)
Condition:
Summary: Externally good to very good, internally fine.
A complete set in ten volumes and internally collated as complete with all pages present as called for including the various half titles etc. The set shows very attractively on the shelf. Uniform darkening to spines as typical, slightly darker at left edge of volume six. Wear to joints and spine extremities with some loss, mainly to the edges of the first volume. Some bumps to book edges and corners with some light shelf wear. Top edges gilt with some dulling as typical. No loss to gilt tooling. Joints cracked to rear boards of volume three and front board of volume six. These have been restored and presumably glued such that all boards of the set are attached and function as normal. Very slight shelf lean to volume three but when the set is placed together this does not show on the shelf and thus the set remains uniform and very attractive indeed. Internally in excellent condition, with some very mild toning as typical else completely fine. No foxing, no tears, rips, or stains. No attached bookplates or ownership inscriptions. No transfer from illustrated plates to verso pages as all tissue guards are present. Generally the leather could benefit from the gentle application of a leather conditioner, but this isn't required as they do remain externally truly beautiful without this.
