Jane Austen – Pride and Prejudice – Peacock Edition, First Printing 1894

A superb first printing of the celebrated 1894 ‘Peacock’ edition of Pride and Prejudice, published by George Allen in London. Arguably the most desirable of any issue of Jane Austen’s romantic classic, its cover design has since become iconic and widely used on later reprints of the book – as well as tote bags, notebooks and other accessories. The pictorial binding, which features gilt designs and lettering on dark green cloth, is one of the finest examples of the period and led to similar other editions of Austen’s works in subsequent years. Illustrated with 160 wood engravings throughout by the Irish illustrator Hugh Thomson, including a frontispiece with tissue guard. This was the first issue of Pride and Prejudice to feature illustrations throughout the text. Hardback, in the original cloth binding. All edges gilt. Dark green endpapers. In original cloth binding. In very good condition, unusually clean and bright externally with only a few minor marks. Neat previous owner’s inscription. A little spotting to early pages, as is common with this title. Binding good.