Northanger Abbey & Persuasion - The Oxford edition of ‘The Novels of of Jane order Austen’, Oxford University Press, 1946.

My story...
I am a really intriguing, classy 1946 3rd impression of Northanger Abbey and Persuasion by Jane Austen, published initially in 1923 by Oxford University Press in a set of five volumes entitled, ‘The Novels of Jane Austen':

I. Sense and Sensibility
II. Pride and Prejudice
III. Mansfield Park
IV. Emma
V. Northanger Abbey & Persuasion

I am volume V of that set!
My text is based on Collation of the early editions of R. W. Chapman. order

I was printed and bound in London, England by Geoffrey Cumberlege publisher to the university.

Along with the text I contain notes, indexes and illustrations from contemporary sources.

Practicalities:
-I measure H 19cm X W 13cm.
-I weigh 596g.

Condition Summary:
-Generally my book is in a very good plus condition with mostly minor wear. My most serious condition points are a scuff to two pages and a small ink blot - otherwise the wear is minor.
- My dust jacket is in a very good condition.
For specific condition points see below.

Why buy me?
The Oxford edition set is prized as one of the finest, illustrated editions of Jane Austen's works of the early 20th century for its authentic, contemporary illustrations of the period and fascinating notes on the text.
I am proud to be one of the books from that attractive set with a pretty decent dust jacket that has kept me ship-shape (now covered in an archival cover which can be removed without damage). Although quite sombre in colour, my dust jacket has a beautiful, pictorial cover (see photo).
This is also an edition for the reader who wants to go beyond the text and read more about the edition, the history and culture of the period!
I must say that I look simply splendid in my sage green cloth covers that are in a clean and carefully looked after condition.
My spine is embellished simply with under-lined and headed gold-gilt titles that still shine brightly.
I am quite minimalist in my book layout - no frills or fancies with my edition - just ivory endpapers and a simple titled initial page.
After this I become interesting! You now see the first of one of my illustrations, which are listed in me along with all the illustrations in the rest of my set too! Preceding this, lest I forget, is also a contents page.
Following on from where I left off, there is an introductory note and a biographical motive. Then my novels begins in four volumes.
Please do look at the photos of some of my charming illustrations including, Autumnal Walking Dress, Lyme Regis and Comforts of Bath.
A quirk of me is that my page numbers are written in brackets.
At the end of me you will find prolific notes on the text and illustrations.
There are further extras including The cancelled chapter of Persuasion plus notes.
There are appendices on:
- a chronology of events of each novel
- ‘The Topography of Bath'
- The Mysteries of Udolpho
- an index of characters
Then there are some general indexes:
-of Literary Allusions
-of Real Persons
- of Real Places
…and even a bit more!
Sigh…

As I am around 76 years old I will have some signs of age and use:

Book covers: the spine end cloth is gently worn each end with some mild creasing at the top end of the spine; corners gently mildly rolled and worn on their tips; there are no significant marks on the main covers.
Page edges: all the edges are mildly age toned with noticeable foxing on the top edge; the long side edge is more gently foxed the bottom edge even less so though the fox marks are slightly darker.
Endpapers: gently age toned all over; there are a few random faint, mild foxing marks present at each end. There is a large, crease across the second free paper corner.
Reading pages: there is a small, blue ink mark on one page which has left a lighter impression on another - see photo 10; occasionally the foxing marks from the page edges are seen right on the immediate reading page edges - photo 5 shows a larger age mark but these are rare - mostly they are tiny; there is a small scuff on an illustration and the page opposite near the hinge where at some point the pages were slightly stuck together at the top end - see photo 5. The illustration shown in photo 5 also has a very faint mark on its right hinge side towards the top.
This book was published in 1946 when war economy standard paper was in use so occasionally you will see small flecks in the paper - if you find other signs of age or use they will be slight and rare. Apart from the above mentioned areas most pages are really highly respectable.
Binding: still strong with gutters still intact each end.
Dust jacket: is in a very respectable condition with only minor wear on the spine ends, hinge ends and along the flap top edges; they are mildly age toned all over more so on the spine; the jacket is price clipped - it is now covered in an archival, see through wrapping that can be removed without causing damage to the book.

A note from my seller:
All in all a very pleasing, elegant edition with a jolly decent dust jacket to boot!
It's a curious edition with all its extras - and if you like extra information in a book this is the edition for you.

I will be sent fully insured Royal Mail special delivery in the UK and fully insured Royal Mail International, tracked worldwide. Please message me for worldwide postage costs if not displayed.

I will be packed in recycled, biodegrable packaging where possible.