Persuasion

Philadelphia: Carey & Lea, 1832. First edition. Cloth. Good. 8" by 4.5". None. A scarce, first American edition of Jane Austen's final novel. In the publisher's original binding, and with the scarce adverts. Complete with the often missing publisher's catalogue to the rear of the first volume for Carey and Lea. These volumes are in the publisher's original binding, and held in a very bright custom slipcase. A scarce edition of Jane Austen's final novel. Persuasion was first published in England six months after Austen's death. It concerns Anne Elliot, the 27 year old protagonist whose family moves to lower their expenses. This novel is often regarded as Austen's most maturely written novel. Upon initial publication this work received moderate success, but its fame came later into the nineteenth century and continued onward to the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Gilson (B3) notes that 'relatively few copies of the 1832-1833 Philadelphia editions are known to survive'. Austen's novels mark the transition to nineteenth century realism from the novels of sensibility that dominated the late eighteenth century. Her biting irony, humour and social commentary have lead her novels to be in high standing centuries later.  In the publisher's original quarter cloth binding, with paper covered boards. Housed in an excellent full calf slipcase, which is in a fine condition. Externally, both volumes are sound, with a loss to the backstrips, heavier to volume I which is in need of careful handling. Patches of light rubbing and a few ink marks to the boards. Rear blanks to both volumes have small portions removed by hand, possibly to omit a prior owner's inscriptions. Ink marks to the rear endpaper of volume II, and a prior owner's inscription regarding this work. Prior owner's inscription to the front endpapers, title pages and first text leaf of both volumes 'C H & J Myers'. Front free endpaper to volume I is detached but present. Front hinge to volume I is tender, and the board may detach unless carefully handled. Otherwise, both volumes are generally firmly bound. Pages are generally bright with scattered spotting, heavier to the first and last few pages. Good