"IT IS A TRUTH UNIVERSALLY ACKNOWLEDGED, THAT A SINGLE MAN IN POSSESSION OF A GOOD FORTUNE, MUST BE IN WANT OF A WIFE"

AUSTEN, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. London: Richard Bentley, 1833. Small octavo, period-style three-quarter tan calf gilt, marbled boards and edges, raised bands, red morocco spine label. $13,500.

First Bentley edition, fourth overall, of Austen's most popular novel and the author's favorite of all her works, the first to list Austen as the author by name and the first illustrated edition, with engraved frontispiece illustration and engraved vignette title page, handsomely bound.

"None of her novels delighted Jane Austen more than Pride and Prejudice… She had given a rare example of fiction as a highly intelligent form… This remains her most popular and widely translated novel" (Honan, 313-20). "No English reissue of Austen's novels is known after 1818 until in 1832 Richard Bentley decided to include them in his series of Standard Novels… Bentley's reprinting of the novels, each complete in one volume, was presumably intended for the private buyer; there is evidence that some circulating libraries were still well supplied with copies of the original editions" (Gilson, 211). First published in 1813, with a second edition within the same year and a third in 1817. This is the fourth overall edition, and first illustrated edition with engraved frontispiece illustration and engraved vignette title page, both done by Greatbatch after Pickering. Bound with the Bentley "Standard Novels" series title page; without half title. Gilson D5. Inked owner names on front flyleaf and series title page, one dated 1875.

Engraved title page and frontispiece expertly cleaned, otherwise only occasional mild foxing to text. An excellent, beautifully bound copy.