1879 A Memoir of Jane Austen by Her Nephew JE Austen Leigh Plus Lady Susan and The Watsons by Jane Austen / Bentley, London / Good Condition

An extremely scarce copy of A Memoir of Jane Austen by Her Nephew JE Austen Leigh. In addition includes Lady Susan and also The Watsons by Jane Austen. Published in 1879 by Richard Bentley, London. In the original publisher's binding and in good condition. More notes on condition below.

Lady Susan is a short epistolary novel by Jane Austen, possibly written in 1794 but not published until 1871. This early complete work, which the author never submitted for publication, describes the schemes of the title character. The 2016 film starring Kate Beckinsale, Love and Friendship was based on Lady Susan.

The Watsons is an unfinished novel by Jane Austen. She began writing around 1803 and probably abandoned it after her father's death in January 1805. It has five chapters.

Inside the pages are in good condition being clean, bright and tightly bound. With some pencil inscriptions to the front free endpaper, but no other writing or markings of previous ownership. With a portrait frontispiece of Austen, else unillustrated but has decorative headers and initials to each section. Has a facsimile page of Austen's handwriting in a reproduced short note. The main CONDITION POINT to note is a cracked hinge to the rear joint (see photos), and gapes at the gutter in a couple of places inside the book. The binding of the text block remains good and strong.

In the original publisher's dark green cloth covered boards with ornate stamped pattern to the front and back and with gilt decoration to the spine. This is all in smart, good order. With some rubbing to the cloth at the corners and spine ends. Also has a slight rubbed area on the back, and a small bump to the bottom rear corner. With some slight fraying at the very head of the spine. The gilt decoration is shiny bright.

Definitely one for the collector or for a special gift. Your antique copy of A Memoir of Jane Austen, Lady Susan and The Watsons will be wrapped with care in tissue and ribbon* and sent well packaged with tracking and insurance. I am always happy to include a gift card and message.

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H 19.5 cm X W 14.5 cm, 364 pages 0.64 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 wrapped, simply add a note to the order.