1931 Lady Susan by Jane Austen / Uncommon Early Standalone Edition

In very good condition, here is an uncommon early standalone version of Jane Austen's Lady Susan. Published in 1931 by Philip Earle, London. Book is in excellent condition - likely unread as it still has the original publisher's postcard still tucked inside. Has the original, scarce dust wrapper which has some staining, otherwise good.

This edition is not a first edition of the text (Austen wrote Lady Susan in the 1790s; it was first published posthumously in 1871), but it is a notable early 20th‑century standalone printing. Philip Earle produced a series of attractive, compact classics during this period, often with simple but elegant bindings.

Early standalone printings of Lady Susan are relatively uncommon. Before the mid‑20th century, the novella was often bundled with The Watsons and Sanditon.

Philip Earle editions are not mass‑market. They were produced in smaller numbers than, say, Dent or Oxford editions of the same era. R. Brimley Johnson’s introduction is part of a broader scholarly movement to re‑evaluate Austen’s minor works.

Inside the pages are clean and tightly bound, with no writing or markings of previous ownership. The top closed edge is tinted blue, mild spotting to the other two sides.

The unclipped dust jacket is completely intact. Has a couple of small nicks at the head of the spine. As mentioned above, there are brown staining marks around the outside edges (see photos).

Your antique copy of Austen's Lady Susan will be wrapped with care in tissue and ribbon* and sent well packaged. I am always happy to add a gift card with a message to the parcel.

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H 19 cm x W 13 cm, 105 pages, 0.24 kg. I dispatch worldwide daily from the UK. With the exception of a small number of countries.

*If you would prefer for your book not to be decoratively wrapped and sent simply in the full protective packaging please add a note to the order.

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