Printed for T. Egerton, 1813.

First edition. 12mo. Three volumes, bound in contemporary half red morocco over grey paper boards with smooth spines and gilt rules and titles. Half titles to vols I & II. A very good set with a little wear to the corners and extremities of the boards. Superficial repair to front joint of vol III and the head of the spine of vol II, otherwise untouched. Internally some spotting and foxing throughout, but sound and complete with just a small marginal chip to F2 in vol II and a black mark to E3r of vol III. Overall an authentic and attractive set in a notably attractive contemporary binding.

The author's second and most famous novel, which has become one of the most prominent literary works to come from the nineteenth century.
The first draft of the novel was written under the working title of 'First Impressions' in 1796. In 1797 Jane Austen's father wrote to the publisher Cadell to ask if he would publish the novel. The offer was rejected by return of post. In 1800 The Minerva Press published a novel by Margaret Holford entitled First Impressions, which probably led to Austen changing the title of the work. In the following years, Pride and Prejudice was heavily rewritten and the copyright eventually sold to Egerton in 1812. There is no record of the number of copies of the first edition, but Keynes suggests 1500 as the probable print run.
The book was well received and the first edition sold out within the year and one contemporary reader wrote, "I have finished the Novel called Pride and Prejudice, which I think is a very superior work... I really think it is the most probable fiction I have ever read."
As a rule Regency binders removed the half titles so copies in contemporary bindings retaining them are rare; the copies in such prominent collections as Sir Geoffrey Keynes's and R.W. Chapman's all have no half titles, nor do the Bodleian or Cambridge University library copies.

Gilson A3; Keynes 8; Sadleir 62b

Stock ID: 39148

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