(New York: The Spiral Press for The Limited Editions Club , 1957).

FIRST OF THE EDITION, WITH BOLD AND IMAGINATIVE DRAWINGS BY HELEN SEWELL. With a new introduction by Stella Gibbons.
Austen s very well received novel of three women attempting to maintain their place in English society with little money and fewer resources. Although light hearted fiction was her medium, Austen did much to bring the unfairness of society towards women to the public s attention. Many call her one of England s earliest literary feminists.
 Recognition came to Miss Austen slowly. But she is now firmly established as an English classic...Miss Austen had always her panegyrists among the best intellects-such as Coleridge, Tennyson,Macaulay, Scott, Sydney Smith, Disraeli and Archbishop Whitely, the last of whom may be said to have been her discoverer. Scott s testimony is often quoted:  That young lady had a talent for describing the involvements, feelings and characters of ordinary life which is to me the most wonderful I have ever met with. The big bow-wow I can do myself like any one going; but the exquisite touch which renders commonplace things and characters interesting from the truth of the description and the sentiment is denied to me.  - EB
Austen s popularity seems to never weaken and she is as widely loved today as ever. Item #28059

First of the edition, one of 1,500 copies only. Illustrated by Helen Sewell. 4to, in the publisher s full blue and tan buckram, lettered in gilt on the spine and pictorially decorated in gilt on the upper cover. In the original black slipcase. xv, 333 pp. A fine copy. The slipcase with a hint of edgewear at the corners.