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Stock# 85830
Description

First edition

London: Printed for T. Egerton, Military Library, Whitehall. 1814. Vols. 1 and 3 printed by G. Sidney, Volume 2 printed by C. Roworth.

Published in 1814 in a run of an estimated 1,250 to 1,500 copies, the first edition of Mansfield Park proved another success when it sold out by the fall of the same year (Gilson). Future King George IV, the Prince Regent's love for the novel resulted in Jane Austen dedicating Emma to him after his librarian, James Stanier Clark, invited her to Carlton Hall and corresponded with her by letter, writing, "Your late works, Madam, and in particular Mansfield Park reflect the highest honour on your genius and your principles. In every new work your mind seems to increase its energy and power of discrimination. The Regent has read and admired all your publications."

Condition Description
Three duodecimo volumes. Each in full contemporary paneled, speckled calf by Gilmour of Salsbury (his binder's label in vol. 3). Spine (rebacked, retaining original backstrips) in 5 compartments divided by gilt rules, star pattern in three compartments, gilt lettering in two compartments. Gilt-tooling at corners of board edges. Brown endpapers, circular armorial bookplate of Lansdowne on front pastedown of each volume. In vol. 1, small gouge out of upper margin of I1 (not entering text) and marginal tear to lower blank margin of O11. Vols. 1 and 2 with occasional pencil marginalia. Lacking half-titles (as usual, per Keynes) and advertisement leaf in vol. 3. Housed in custom linen-covered slipcase.
[2], 360, [2], 294, [2], 354.
Reference
Keynes 6; Gilson A6; Leigh, J.E. Austen "A Memoir of Jane Austen", London: Richard Bentley & Son, 1879.